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CHESTER COUNTY 



AND 



ITS PEOPLE 



<^%(,6> 



Of all the things which man can do or make here below, by far the most momentous, 
wonderful and worthy are the things we call books — THOMAS CARLYLE 



^^ EDITED BY 

wf W. THOMSON 



ILLUSTRATED 



CHICAGO AND NEW YORK;.'.:, , 
THE UNION HISTORY COMPANY 
1898 






^ 



y^U^'% 






PRCPACe. 



THE Publishers herewith present to their friends in 
Chester County this fine volume of local history. 
Upon examination it will be found full of interesting 
matter concerning the county, and will be accepted as a 
standard contribution to the history of the State. The Pub- 
lishers have drawn freely from every available source, giving 
due credit therefor, and gratefully acknowledge their indebt- 
edness to the press throughout the count}' and to the owners 
of private libraries and rare and valuable documents. In a 
work of this character, more or less hurriedly prepared, it 
has been found impracticable to avoid mistakes; but the 
Publishers, as is their custom, stand ready to correct, after 
notification, all errors by special errata sheet to be sent to 
every subscriber to be pasted in the book. We cordially 
thank our friends and patrons for their encouragement and 
support, 

THE pu^i^ianma. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



"^ Octagonal School-house 65-66 

« View of Coatesville i ig-120 

'^ William Wayne 137-138 

V Josiah Hoopes 173-174 

. H. H. GiLKYSON 209-210 

V Bayard Taylor 227-228 

V Wayne MacVeagh 227-228 

-i Anthony Wayne 227-228 

V Galusha Pennypacker 227-228 

T. Buchanan Read 227-228 

V Unveiling of Paoli Monument 245-246 

i General Lafayette 263-264 

J Main Building, Normal School 281-282 

V Group of Buildings, Lincoln University 299-300 

j P. M. Sharfless 317-318 

i A. P. Reid 335-336 

J G. M. Philips 371-372 

/ A. Gibbons 389-390 

< Roxborough Home for Women 407-408 

■! Charlton Lewis 425-426 

i H. A. Beale 443-444 

-I J. A. M. Passmore 461-462 

: M. S. Way 479-480 

V Charles Huston 497-498 

; G. G. Groff : 515-516 

,; J. S. FuTHEY 533-534 

/ Joseph B. Jacobs 587-588 

/ J. B. Everhart 605-606 

n/ Gilbert Cope 670-671 

/Jesse C. Green 702-703 

■/ Birmingham Meeting-house 766-767 

n' L. G. McCauley 878-879 

III 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTEK I. 



PAGE. 

Situation of the Coimty 51 

Area and Boundary 52 

Appearance of the Country, Early 52 

Varieties of Trees 53 

Early Events on the Atlantic Coast 54-57 

Attempts on the Delaware, Swedes' 58 

Eilorts of the Dutch 60 

The English Colonists 61 

Special Court Held at New Castle 61 

First Eoad Law 62 

Upland and Chester Counties 62-63 

Arrival of William Penn 63 

Three Counties Formed 63-6-1 

Original Extent of Chester County 64-65 

First County-seat and Courts 64-65 

The Dutch Again Take Possession 68 

Final English xiscendency 68 

First Legislative Assembly • 69 

Extinguishment of the Indian Title 69 

Settlers of the County, Their Nationality 69 

The Quakers, the Welsh, etc 70 

Oldest House Kemoved 70 

Assimilation of Early Names 71 

Drainage of Chester County 71-73 

Sketch of the Boundary Controversy 73-80 

Mason and Dixon's Line 82-89 

IV 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. v 

PAGE. 

The Circular Bouudary Line 89-95 

Delaware County Formed 96 



CHAPTER II. 

The Indians ; 99 

The Original People, Lenni-Lenape 99 

Name Delaware Given Them 99 

Their Trails, Villages and Customs 100-111 

Other Tribes Residing Here 100 

Warrant of Survey 103 

The Famous Treaty of William Penn 101-105 

Facts More or Less Obscure 106 

Earliest Deeds to Penn lOG-110 

Location of Indian Villages and Trails Ill 

Indian Implements and Utensils 113-111 

Forts and Other Earthworks Ill 

An Indian Alarm 115 

Status of the Delawares 116 

Claims of the Indians 117 

Proceedings of the Assembly 118-127 

The Newlin Claim Settled 127 

The Last of the Indians 128-129 



CHAPTER IIL 

Geology 133 

Primary Stratified Rocks 133 

Silurian-Cambrian Limestones 134 

Potsdam Sandstone 131 



VI TABLE OF.CONTENTS. 

PAT.E. 

South Valley Hill Rocks 134-135 

The Five Geological Sections 130 

The Southern Gneiss Region 13G 

The Mica Slates 141 

The Valley Region Ill 

The Northern Gneisses 113 

The Red Sandstone Region Ill 

The Mesozoic Boundary 115 

Ancient Features and Markings 116 

Minerals of the County 147-157 



CHAPTER IV. 

Welsh and Other Settlers 161 

Early Prominence of the Welsh 161-162 

The Welsh Warrant 162-63 

Purchases of Tliat People 164-66 

Settlers of Merion Township 167 

Struggle to Maintain the Barony 168 

Sales to Other Settlers 170 

Settlement of the Townships Considered 167 

Names of Prominent Families 175-80 

Lffititia Penn Manor 179 

Sales Therefrom 183 

Boundary of the Welsh Tract 186 

The Indenture of Servants 187 



CHAPTER V. 

The Revolutionary War 193 

The French War of 1744 193 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. vii 

PAGE. 

Organization of the Associators 194 

Events Preceding the Eevolution 194-98 

Circular Issued Calling People Together 199 

Action of the Meeting at Chester 199 

Meeting of the Committees 200 

Proceedings of Congress 201 

Other Meetings and Conventions 202 

Military Exercises Practiced 203 

Committee of Safety 204 

Officers Chosen and Arms Provided 204-G 

Powder and Lead 206 

Military Laws and Eegulations 207 

Provincial Army Formed 208 

Chester County Troops 208 

Hardships Endured 211 

Cannon Cast in This Vicinity 212 

Number Capable of Bearing Arms 212 

Substitutes Hired 213 

Battle of Brandywine 214-19 

Fight at Birmingham Meeting-house 219 

Lafayette Wounded 220 

Other Engagements 222 

Grey's Attack Upon Wayne 223 

The Paoli Massacre 225 

Howe Occupies Philadelphia 225 

Depredations of the British Troops 226-32 

Action Against the Tories 231 

Sufferings at Valley Forge 233-35 

Germantown 233 

Severe Measures for Relief 234 

" Washington's Opinion of the Soldiers 236 

The Various Hospitals 236 

Incidents of Local Interest 238 



viii TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Military Status of the County 239 

British Ravages in Chester County 240 

Surrender of Cornwallis 241 

Patriots, Tories and Neutrals '. 242 

Subsequent Action of the Patriots 243-47 

List of Fines and Forfeitures 248-49 

List of Militia Officers 249-51 

The Tory's Position Considered 251-54 

First Monument at Paoli 254-55 

The Monument of 1877 255-57 

The Whisky Insurrection 257-61 

lleoeption of General Lafayette 261-66 

The Lafayette Monument 266-68 

The McClellan Monument 268 



CHAPTER VL 

War of 1812 and Mexican War 271 

First Chester County Volunteers 271 

The Ninety-seventh Regiment 271 

Its Commissioned Officers 271-72 

Encampment at Kennett Square 272 

The Assemblage at Marcus Hook 272 

General Officers from this County 273 

The Companies and Their Captains 273 

The Mexican War 274 

The Quota from Pennsylvania 274 

Names of Several from this County 274 



CHAPTER VII. 

The Great Rebellion 277 

Preliminary Facts and Dates 277-78 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. ix 

PAGE. 

News of the Fall of Fort Sumter 278 

First Great War Meetings 278 

The Earliest V^olunteers 278-79 

Companies Organized and Officered 279 

The Entire County Aroused 279-80 

Numerous Companies Organized 280-84 

Phffinixville Iron Works .284 

Location of Camp Wayne 284 

Efforts to Eaise the Ninety-seventh Eegiment 285-86 

Its Departure and Engagements 286-87 

Central and Other Aid Societies 287-88 

New Calls for Volunteers 289 

Continued Enlistments 290 

The Enrollment and Draft 291-92 

Conscientious Scruples Against War 291-92 

Invasion of Pennsylvania Threatened 291-92 

Drafted Men and Substitutes 292-93 

A Colored Squad Raised Here 294 

Union Leagues Organized 294-95 

Military Keceptions 295 

Lee's Invasion of the State 296 

Companies Formed in this Emergency 296-97 

Three Months' Men Called for 297 

Wounded at Gettysburg Cared for 298 

County and Other bounty 298-801 

Veteranization 301 

Another Invasion Threatened 301-02 

Continued Eecruiting to Fill Calls 302 

News of the Fall of Richmond 302 

Surrender of General Lee 303 

The Glad Tidings Celebrated 302-03 

Gloom Over Lincoln's Assassination 303 

Soldiers Furnished by the County 304 

Several Distinguished Officers 305 



X TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

PAGE. 

The Spanish-American War 311 

Cause of the War 311-12 

Its Formal Declaration 312 

The Quota of Pennsylvania 312 

Departure of CoruwelFs Company 312 

The Company's Roster 312-13 

Company I of the Sixth 313 

Company D from Phoenixville 314 

Copies of the Muster Rolls 313-17 

Company L, Colored 31G 

Other Squads and Companies 319-22 

Soldiers' Aid Societies 320 

Battery C, National Guard 321 

Major-General Galusha Pennypacker 322-24 



CHAPTER IX. 

Slavery 327 

Its Early Existence in this State 327 

The Enslavement of Indians 327 

Law Prohibiting the Latter 327-28 

Misgivings of the Indians 328 

Significance of Their Wampum Belts 328-29 

First Negro Slaves 330 

Mennonites and Quakers Against Slavery 330 

The Anti-slavery Law of 1780 330-31 

Motives in Freeing the Slaves 331-34 

Slaves Registered 334-40 

Slavery Ceased to Exist in the County 339 

Slaveholders in the County 334-40 

Welsh and Quakers thus Compared 340 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xi 

PAGE. 

Colonization Societies Formed Here 340-41 

Kedemptioners and Indentured Servants 341-42 

Form of Apprentice's Indenture 343 

Kidnapping 344 

The Underground Kailroad 345-48 

Eespectability of the Colored People 349 



CHAPTER X. 

Education 355 

Inducements Held Out to Settlers 356 

The First Schoolmaster 356-57 

Traveling Teachers 357 

First Teaching in Chester County 358 

Friends Were Pioneers in Education 358-59 

Extract from the "Great Law" 359 

Compulsory Act of the Second Assembly 359 

Early Schools Started Here 360-61 

Recommendations of the Yearly Meeting 361 

Fagg's Manor Classical School 361-64 

New London Academy 364 

Nottingham Academy 364 

Brandy wine Academy 365 

Upper Octoraro Classical School 365 

Other Schools 365-67 

Birmingham Classical School 366 

The Friends' Boarding School 367-78 

West Chester Academy 379 

West Chester State Normal School 380 

Its Faculty 383 

George M. Philips 384 



xu TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Other Good Schools 385 

Mrs. Phelps' Young Ladies' School 386-87 

Villa Maria Academy 387 

Kimber's School 387-88 

Miscellaneous Schools 388-96 

Ashmun Institute 396 

Ercildoun Seminarv 398 

Penn High School 400 

First Common Schools 401-02 

Early Laws on Education 403 

Poor Children Provided for 403-04 

Law of 1834 404-05 

Position of this County 406-09 

Non-accepting Districts in 1848 409-10 

Laws of 1849, 1854, 1855 and 1857 410-12 

County Superintendents 412 

Statistics in the '60's 413 

High and Graded Schools 414-15 

Temperance and Directors' Associations 415 

Teachers' Associations. 416-17 

Circulating Library 418 

The Massachusetts System 419 

Miss Susan Gorgas 421-22 



CHAPTEE XL 

Politics 427 

Form of Penn's Government 427 

Assembly Met in this County 427 

Composition of the Assembly 427-28 

Chester County Representation 428 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xiii 

PAGE. 

Members of the Legislature 428-42 

First and Second Congresses 442 

Congressional Kepresentation 442-51 

The Congressional Districts 445-4ft 

John Morton, the Signer 446-48 

United States Senator 448 

Prominent Politicians 451-58 

Form of Government Changed 458 

The Powers of the Councils 458-59 

The Kevolutionary Convention 459 

The Provincial Conference 460 

Constitution of 1776 460 

Chester County Members of Council 460 

Members During the Revolution . 463 

Terms of Service in the Assembly 463 

Members of the State Senate 464 

County Offices 465 

Prothonotary 465 

Registers of Wills 466 

Recorders of Deeds 467-68 

Clerks of Court 469-70 

Sheriffs 470-73 

Coroners 473-74 

Commissioners 474-78 

County Treasurers 478-81 

Prohibition Convention 481-82 

Republican Convention 482-83 

Population of the County, 1890 483-86 



XIV TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XII. 

PAGE. 

Roads 489 

Indian Trails Were the First 489 

Passage Ways Ordered Built 489 

Overseers of Roads 490 

Petitions for Many Roads 490-95 

Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike 495-96 

Other Turnpikes 496 

Plank and Macadamized Roads 499-500 

Railroads 500 

Old Style Teaming 501 

The First Railroad • 502 

The Canal Projected 503 

Early Railway Experiments 503 

Completion of the Columbia Road 503-04 

Proceedings at West Chester in 1830 504 

Rush for the Stock 505 

The Road in Operation 505-06 

Railway Improvement and Manipulation 507-08 

The Second Road Projected 508-09 

Its Eventual Completion 509-10 

The Pennsylvania Railroad 510-13 

Brandywine and Waynesburg Railroad 513 

Wilmington and Northern Railroad 513 

Other Roads 512-19 

Philadelphia and Delaware Railroad 514 

Pickering Vallej' Railroad 514 

Perkiomen Railroad 514-15 

Philadelphia and Chester Valley Railroad 517 

Philadelphia and Reading Railroad 517 

Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad 517-18 

TS'est Chester Street Railway 518 

Philadelphia, Castle Rock and West Chester Railway 519 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xv 

CHAPTER XIII. 

PAGE. 

The Courts 523 

First Court after Penn's Arrival 523 

Tlie Tribune of Peacemakers 523 

Several Interesting Early Cases 524-25 

First Court of Equity 525 

First Orphans' Court 525 

Jails and Court-houses 52(> 

Judicial Districts in 1790 526 

The State Eedistricted 527 

The Elective System 527 

Judge Futhey 527-28-32 

Court of Oyer and Terminer 528-29 

Distinguished Members of the Bar 529-40 

Deputy Attorneys-General 540-41 

Punishment of Crime 542-45 

The Goss-Udderzook Murder Case 544-45 

Other Eminent Lawyers 545-58 

Admissions to the County Bar , 558-60 

Law Librarv Association 566-67 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Mining and Manufacturing 573 

First Lead and Silver Mined 573 

Bogus Coins Manufactured 573-75 

Iron Ore Early Mined , 576 

The Furnaces and Forges 576-77 

The Restrictive Law of 1750 577 

Slitting and Rolling-mills ■ 577 

Other Iron and Steel Mines 578-80 



XVI TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Famous Valley Forge 580 

Cast-steel Made 581 

Many Iron and Steel Mills Named 581-84 

Location of the Best Ore-banks 584-90 

Lead and Copper Ore Located 590 

Marble and Limestone 592 

Graphite, Chrome and Corundum 593 

Clocks Manufactured 594 

Saw and Grist-mills 595 

Carding, Spinning and Weaving 596-97 

Miscellaneous Industries 596-98 

The Platinum Works 598-99 

Other Iron and Steel Works 594-99 

Boiler Works 599-604 

Other Manufacturing Enterprises 604-25 

Abraham Gibbons 625 



CHAPTEK XV. 

The Press and Literature 629 

The First Weekly Newspaper 629 

Other Early Ventures 629 

The First Editors and Publishers 630-31 

Characteristics of the First Papers 629-31 

Later Newspapers and Editors 632-34 

Politics of the Newspapers 629-40 

Failures and Successes 629-35 

Successors to the First Papers 636 

Contests of the Partisan Weeklies 630-39 

Newspapers of Recent Dates 639-56 

Other Periodicals 630-56 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xvii 

PAGE. 

Literary Ability of the Editors 630-56 

The Local News 653 

Literature in Chester County 656 

Writers, Early and Late 656-78 



CHAPTER XVI. 

The Medical Profession 681 

First Society in the County 681 

Its Officers and By-Laws 681-82 

Fee-bill Adopted 682 

Meetings and Proceedings 682-83 

The Society in Later Years 683-84 

Sketches of the Early Practitioners 684 

Their Scientific and Professional Attainments 684 

The Various Schools Represented 685 

Physicians of a Later Date 690-711 

Tlieir Membership in Societies 685-708 

Influence of the Local Organizations 686-711 

Dentistry 704-11 

Its Eminent Practitioners 704-11 

Dental Societies 710 

Homeopathic Society 711 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Banking and Insurance 715 

National Bank of Chester County 715 

Acts of the Assembly 715 

2 



XVIII TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Veto of the Governor 716 

Stock Subscribed 716 

Form of Early Bank-note 717 

Statistics of the Bank 718-19 

Its Officers 719-20 

Metliods of Transacting Business 720 

First National Bank 721-22 

Private Banking 722-21 

Other National Banks 724-26 

Other Private Bankers 721-26 

Savings Institutions 727 

Other Banking Houses 728-31 

Insurance 732 

The Various Local Companies 732-35 

Their Officers and Methods 732-35 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Religion 739 

Churches Were Very Early Established 739 

Names of the First Ministers 739-40 

First Meetiug-houses 740-41 

The Society of Friends 741-61 

Their Congregations and Doctrines 742-44 

Importance of Their Work 745-60 

Their Monthly Meetings, Where Held 746-60 

Their Meeting-houses 745-60 

The Rise of the Hicksites 756-59 

The Catholics 761-67 

Their First Church in the State 761 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xix 

PAGE. 

Antagonism to Tliem 761-62 

Chester County Catholics 762 

Their Later Churches, Schools, etc 763-67 

The Presbyterians 767-82 

Oldest Church in the County 768-82 

The Various Congregations 768-82 

Their Pastors and Buildings 769-82 

The Baptists 783-801 

Churches of the Associations 783-801 

Early Pastors and Meeting-houses 784-85 

Later Organizations and Statistics 786-90 

Other Baptists 798-801 

The Methodists 802-28 

Their Buildings and Congregations 802-28 

The Pastors, Statistics 804-28 

The Circuits 806-08 

The Episcopalians 829-45 

The Sectors and Their Followers 830-45 

Eev. Mr. Ussher 839-45 

The Lutheran Churches 845 

Their Statistics 847-53 

The Reformed Churches 854 

The Mennonites 858 

Disciples of Christ 858 

Christian Church 859 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Towns and Townships 863 

Birmingham Township 863 

Bradford Township .864 



XX TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Brandywine Township 865 

Charlestown Township 865 

Tlie Manor of Bilton 867 

Cain Township 867 

DoAvnington 869 

The Coveutries 871 

Easttown Township 871 

Goshen Township 872 

West Chester 873-90-1: 

Marshall S. Way 893 

The Jacobs Family 894 

Chester County Hospital 897-901 

Masonic Lodges 901-03 

J. C. Smith Memorial Home 903-01 

The Epileptic Hospital and Colony Farm 904-05 

Tallowfield Township 905 

Honeybrook and Other Townships 906 

Borough of Honeybrook 906-07 

Hamorton 907 

Kennett Township 907 

Kennett Square 908 

Bayard Taylor Memorial Library 910 

London Britain Township 910 

Londonderry and Londongrove Townships 911 

West Grove Borough 912-13 

Avondale Borough 913-14 

Marlborough Township 914 

Nantmeal Township 915 

New London Township 915 

New Garden Township 916 

Newlin Township 917-18 

Nottingham Township 919-20 

Oxford Borough and Township 920-21 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xxi 

PAGE. 

Pocopsou Township 922-23 

Peuu ami PeDusburv Towusliips 923-24 

Pikelaud Towuship 924-26 

Sadsbiiry Towuship 926 

Atgleu 927-28 

Parkersburg 928-29 

Coatesville 929-35 

Schuylkill Township 935 

Phosnixville 936-43 

Thornbury Township 943 

Tredyffrin Township 943 

Uwchlan Township 944-45 

Valley Township 946 

Vincent Towuship 946-48 

Wallace Township 948 

Warwick Township 948-49 

Westtown Township 949 

Willistown Township 950 

Whiteland Township 950 

Vallev Forue 951-53 



CHAPTEK XX. 

Agriculture 957 

Importance of the Subject Admitted 957 

Extract from Message to the Council 957-58 

Place of Agriculture 958 

Early Size of Farms 958 

The Soil and Crops * 959 

A Eeapiug Incident 959-60 

The Baily Mowing-machine 960-61 



XXII TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

The Copo-Hoopes Mowing-machine OGO-fil 

Hay-ralies Inyented 9G1 

Sickles and Cradles 962 

Threshing-machines Invented 962-63 

Important Agricultural Exhibits 964 

The Agricultural Society 965 

Exhibitions, Premiums, etc 966 

Ground Bought by the Society 966 

Officers of the Society 966-68 

Model and Experimental Farm 967 

Patrons of Husbandry 968-69 

Dairy Interests of the County 969 

The Shipping of Milk 970 

Creameries 970-71 

Butter-making 971-72 

The Milling Business 972-73 

Decay of Industries 973-74 

The Growing of Carnations 974-75 

County Best Fitted for What? 975 

The Rearing of Stock 975-76 

John A. M. Passmore 976 

Nurseries and Green-houses 976-77 

Fruit Trees and Shrubbery 977 

Botanical Gardens 977-79 

Work of Humphrey Marshall 979 

Excellence of the County Products 979 

Other Advantages Enjoyed Here 980 

Statistics of 1890 981 



THE BRANDYWINE. 

By lion. James B. Everhart. 

How beautifully glides the Braudywine! 
On and forever from dawn to decline — 
Under tlie bridges and arches of trees. 
Gilding the landscape and cooling the breeze, 
Parting the pastures and swelling their stores, 
Flowering, perfuming the sinuous shores, 
Glossing the squirrel disporting above, 
Sweetening the tanager's carol of love. 

How beautifully flows the Brandywine! 
Laving the limbs of the indolent kine. 
Kissing the sedges aud smoothing the stones, 
Charming the air with its murmuring tones, 
Bord'ring the cottage ensconced in the vale, 
Whitening the wheat for the garner and flail. 
Shaking the mill with its slumberous sounds. 
And feeding the forge as it smokes and pounds. 

How beautifully streams the Brandywine! 
Slowly or swift with its silvery shine, 
Under the clifl:s* where traditional fame 
Pictures the plunge of the desperate dame, 
Rounding the hollowt where suubeams illume 
With changeable gleams the arboreous gloom, 
Neariug the lodge of the Indian Maid.i 
Lingering alone where her fathers strayed. 

How solemnly surges the Brandywine! 
Armies of nations contesting its line. 
Foreigners fording its turbulent flood. 
Signal guns distantly pealing their thud — 
Column on column, heroic with zeal. 
Waving their pennants and flashing their steel. 
Trampling the rushes and climbing the bank, 
Startling their foemeu, assailing their flank. 

How solemnly surges the Bradywlue! 
Marking with crimson its course serpentine- 
Forces reserved closing in from afar, 
Scallug with fury the ridges of war. 
Cannon exploding with terrible roar, 
Dark'uing the heavens and rocking the shore. 
Squadrons of troopers o'ersweeping the plain, 
Regiments recoiling, retreating or slain. 

XXIII 



XXIV THE BBAKBYWIXE. 

How solemnly surges the Brandywiuel 
Teeming with many a sorrowful sign — 
Heroes and horses, distorted and torn. 
Bloated and dead, on its surface upborne. 
ATounded ones writhing and wailing for aid. 
Fragments and missiles o'er hillock and glade. 
Havoc and horror, disaster and night 
Palling the scenery and quenching the fight. 

How exultingly leaps the Brandywine! 
Welcoming Peace with her features divine. 
Bearing the olive, and pourmg her horn 
Over the region so smitten and shorn. 
Causing the barrens to bloom as the rose. 
Soothing the passions of rage to reposa 
Blessing the labors of genius and art. 
Rearing the altar and crowding the mart. 

How complacently pours the Brandywinel 
Voicing its sounds in songs crystalline — 
Orders abolished and merit secure, 
Fortune unfolding her gates to the poor, 
Science displaying the secrets of time, 
Yolving the forces of nature sublime, 
Progress and weal with the country allied. 
And Glory adorning her banner of pride. 

How beautifully rolls the Brandywine! 
Hasfning to mingle itself in the brine, 
AVater fowls dijjping their wings in its crest, 
Swimmers fomenting its waves into yest, 
Holiday barks sailing gaily along. 
Freighted with frolic and graces and song. 
Fishermen watching the tremulous line. 
And dreamers in quest of the Muses' shrine, 
In the haunted dells of the Brandywine. 

''Deb< rail's Rock is so called, says the story, from a disappointed girl of that 
name, who destroyed herself by leaping from it. 

tDungeon Hollow is the name of a picturesque turn of the stream near Paint- 
er's Bridge. 

ilndian Hannah was the last of the Lenape tribe. She lived in a hut near the 
Brandywine long after her people had disappeared. 



CHAPTER I. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 



Chester County and Its People. 



CHAPTER I. 

LOCATION AND AREA TIMBER AND DRAINAGE THE ROYAL CHARTERS 

EXPLORATIONS AND DISCOVERIES THE FIRST SETTLERS COLONI- 
ZATION COMPANIES LAND CONTROVERSIES COUNTIES OR- 
GANIZED ORIGINAL EXTENT OF THE COUNTY 

COUNTY SEAT THE SWEDES, WELSH AND 

QUAKERS THE BOUNDARY 

CONTROVERSY. 

CHESTER COUNTY, Penusylvauia, is situated in the south- 
eastern part of the State. It is in the form of an irregular oblong, 
with its gi'eatest leng-th, from northeast to southwest, aud with 
no boundary corresponding to the cardinal directions, except tht> 
southern, which runs nearly east aud we.st, separating it from 
Maryland aud being the famous Mason aud Dixon's line. A por- 
tion of the southeast boundary is the section of a circle, separating 
the county from the State of Delaware, and the other portion of 
the southeast bouudaiy is Delaware County, Pennsylvania, which 
was once a part of Chester County. Montgomeiy County 
bounds it on the uorthoast, the two counties being separated from 
each other by the Schuylkill River. On the uorthwest it is bounded 
by Berks Couuty aud Lancaster County, the latter extending from 
Berks County down to the State of Maryland. 

The county lies between 39 degrees 42 minutes and 40- degrees 
30 minutes north latitude, and bet\yeen 75 degrees 15 minutes 
and 7G degrees 15 minutes west longitude from Greenwich, Eug- 

51 



52 CHESTER COUNTY 

land, and between 55 minutes and 1 degree -40 minutes east longi- 
tude from the Capitol building at Washington, District of Colum- 
bia. In Maryland the counties which border it are Newcastle, 
Delaware and Cecil. The line of the Peunsylvauia IJailroad pass- 
ing through the county from east to west is thirty miles long. 
The extreme length of the county from north to south is thirty- 
six miles; its northern boundary is fifteen miles long; its nortli- 
eastern twenty-one miles long; its southeastern, eighteen miles; 
its southern, thirty miles, and its western border line twenty- 
eight miles, so that its entire periphery is 112 miles in length. 
The area of the county is equal to 763 squai'e miles, or 488,320 
acres. It has a gently rolling surface, there being within its limits 
no considerable elevations, the highest point on any railroad pass- 
ing through it being 750 feet above the level of the sea, and its 
greatest depression 200 feet above the same level. 

Originally this county was covered with timber, the principal 
varieties being the oak, hickory, walnut, sycamore and poplar. 
The condition of the forests when first visited by white men can 
hardly be conceived. The woods were quite free from underbrush 
and the ground was covered with a short, thick, nutritious grass. 
The trees were some distance apart, the lower limbs were high 
above the ground, and it was a comparatively easy matter to ride 
on horseback anywhere through the woods. The forests were 
simply magnificent, and many men would no doubt ride to-day 
a hundred miles on horseback to see such a sight. This condition 
of things would probably have lasted many years had not the 
Englishman come in to occupy the land; for the Swedes, who took 
the country as they found it, occupied the meadow and open lauds 
along the rivers, never attempting to clear the woods of trees. 
Sidney George Fisher says: 

"In nothing is the diftei^ence in nationality so distinctly shown. 
The Dutchman builds trading posts and lies in his ship to collect 
the furs. The gentle Swede settles on the soft, rich meadow 
lands; his cattle wax fat and his barns are full of hay. The 



AJ^D ITS PEOPLE. 53 

Freuch enter the forests, sympathize with their inhabitants, and 
turn half savage to please them. All alike bow before the wilder- 
ness and accept it as a fixed fact. But the Englishman destroys 
it. There is even something significant in the; way his old charters 
gave him the land straight across America from sea to sea. He 
grasped at the continent from the beginning, and but for him 
the oak and the pine would have triumphed and the prairies still 
been in possession of the Indian and the buffalo." 

The various kinds of trees that grew here in the early day, 
when the forest was in its primeval state, are mentioned by 
William Penn, in a letter dated January 9, 1GS3, to the Duke of 
Ormond, then Viceroy of Ireland. Penn said: 

"The land is generally good, well watered and not so thick 
of wood as I imagined. There are also many open places that 
have been old Indian fields. The trees that grow here are the 
mulberry (white and red), walnut (black and gray), hickoiy, pop- 
lar, cedar, cypress, chestnut, ash, sassafras, gum, pine, spruce, oak 
(black, white, rod, Spanish, chestnut and swamp), which latter 
has a leaf like a willow and is most lasting." 

That some of these trees grew to great size is shown by the 
fact that previous to December 31, 1897, on which day it was 
blown down in a storm, there was an ash tree growing on the 
farm of John B. Ralston in 'West Vincent Township which was 
one of the largest in its section of the county. It was twelve 
feet in circumference at the base, was clear of limbs for fifty-nine 
feet, and just below the first fork was seven feet in circumference. 
To the next limb above this it was thirty-five feet, making a straight 
shaft of ninety-three feet with but one limb. In 1895 this tree 
was photographed by Charies S. Bradford, of West Chester, for 
the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, and was then thought to 
be the finest tree in the county. 

Early events in the settlement of the Atlantic coast are hero 
briefly related for the purpose of comparison of dates, in order that 
the reader may prc^perly place the first settlement of what later 



54 CHESTER COUNTY 

became Chester County among other movements of the kind. The 
tirst settlement in Virginia was made at Jamestown in 1607, and 
in 1609 the famous navigator, Henrv Hudson, an Englishman in 
the service of the Dutch East India Company, discovered the 
great river which has, for most of the time since then, borne his 
name, and which at other times has been, or rather was called, th<; 
North River, the present Delaware Eiver being called, to distin- 
guish it, the "South Iviver." The bay into which the Delaware 
IJiver flows was discovered by Henry Hudson on August 28, 1609, 
when he was in latitude 39 degrees 5 minutes noi-th. This bay 
was in 1610 visited by Lord De la A^'arc, and named Delaware Bay 
in honor of that nobleman. 

Inasmuch as Henry Hudson was in the service of the Dutch, 
that nation laid claim to the territory on either side of the Hudson 
River and to that on either side of both Delaware Bay and Dela- 
ware River, thus claiming an extensive territory nhmg the Atlantic 
coast for a considerable distance north and south. The Delaware: 
River, one of the noblest of those flowing directly into the Atlantic 
Ocean, was known in the eaiiy history of the coimtry by various 
names, particularly among the Indians, who called it "Pautaxat," 
^'Mariskitton," "Makerish-kiskeu," and "Lenape-Whittuck." By 
the Dutch it was named the "Zuyt," or South River, Nassaii River, 
Prince Hendrick River and Charles River. By the Swedes it Avas 
known as New Swedeland stream; by Ileylin, in liis "Cosmog- 
raphy,'' it was called "Arastapha," and finally by the English it 
was named the Delaware River; and as the English finally tri- 
umphed over their enemies or livals in the settlement of the Atlan- 
tic coast, the name given by them to this fine sti'eam has been 
retained. 

Delaware Bay had at least two names api)lied to it before its 
Ijresent name became the permanent one, these two names being 
Newport Me.y and Godyn's Bay. 

The States General of Holland, on March 27, 1611, granted a 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 55 

general charter securinji- "the exclusive privileges of trade during 
four voyages to the discoverers of any new courses, havens, coun- 
tries or places, under which charter the merchants of Amsterdam 
fitted out five vessels, one of which was named the "Fortune." 
It belonged to the city of Hoorn, was commanded by Captain 
Corneli.s Jacobson Mey, and arrived at the mouth of Delaware Bay. 
Its capes were named after himself, Comelis and Mey. Another 
vessel commanded by Captain Adrian Block was burned at the 
mouth of "Manhattan River," and immediately afterward Captain 
Block built a small vessel, sometimes called a yacht, which was 
44 J feet long and 11^ feet wide, which he named the "Unrest," or 
Restless, this being the first vessel built by Europeans in North 
America. In this small vessel Captain Cornells, Hendricksou made 
further explorations and expeditions up the Delaware River, and 
even went as far up it, it has been said, as the mouth of the Schuyl- 
kill. But whetlier this statement is correct or not, tJie extent 
and value of the discoveries made by Captain Hendrickson may 
be judged to some degree by the report he made to the States Gen- 
eral, which report will be found of special interest, as it throws 
a gi'eat deal of light upon the condition of the counti-y in this 
immediate vicinity at the time of his visit. This report is as fol- 
lows : 

"Report of Captain Cornells Hendrickson of Meunickendam 
to the High and Mighty Lords States General of the free United 
Netherland Provinces, made the XVIIIth August, Ad. 1616, of the 
country, bay and three rivers, situated in latitude from 38 to 40 
degrees, by him discovei'ed and found for and to the behoof of 
his owners and directors of New Netherlands, by name, Gerrit 
Jacob Witzen, burgomaster at Aurit, Jonas Witzen, Lambreht Van 
Tweenhuysen, Palas Pelgrom and others of their company. 

"First, he hath discovered for his aforesaid Masters and Direct- 
ors, certain lands, a bay aud three rivers, situated betnx-en 38 
and 40 degrees. 



56 CHESTER COUNTY 

"And did there ti'ade with tlie iubabitants; that trade con- 
sisting of sables, furs, robes and other skins. 

"He hath found the said couutrj' full of trees, to wit.: oaks, 
hickory and pines, which trees were in some places covered with 
vines. 

"He hath seen in said country bucks aud does, turkeys and 
partridges. 

"He hath found the climate of said country- very temperate, 
judging it to be as temperate as this country (Holland). 

"He also traded for and bought from the Inhabitants, the 
Minguas, three persons, being people belonging to this company, 
which three persons w^ere employed in the service of the Mohawks 
and Machicans, giving for them kettles, beads and merchandise. 

"Read, August 19, 1G16." 

Dr. Smith, in his History of Delaware County, observes that 
it cannot be inferred from this report that Captain Hendrickson 
had discovered the Schuylkill, but he does not attempt to determine 
what three rivers were discovered by the Captain. He adds that if 
any knowledge of tlie Schuylkill Eiver, or even of the Delaware 
River, was obtained it was probably from the tJiree Indians pur- 
chased, or from the Indian tribes in general, which supposition 
appeal's to be strengthened by the fact that the States General 
refused to grant, or at least did not grant, the trading privileges 
to these applicants; and tlie trade to New' Netherland, which was 
regarded by the Dutch as extending beyond the Delaware, was 
thrown open in a measure to individual competition. 

There are writers, however, a\ ho do not agree with Dr. Smith 
on this point, Sydney George Fisher, in his "Making of Pennsyl- 
vania," says: "The first person who conquered the shoals and 
really explored the river was a Dutchman, Captain Hendrickson. 
In the year 1616 he penetrated as far as the Schuylkill, just below 
the present site of Philadelphia. He had a small yacht, the 'Unrest,' 
or 'Restless,' only forty-five feet long, which had been built at 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 57 

New York after tlie loss of his lar<;er ship. lu iising this boat 
he may have been influenced by Jiiet's* warning that it would 
require a vessel of light draft to explore thoroughly that great 
bay." 

Up to this time it would appear that discoveries for the pur- 
poses of colonization had not been thought of by the Dutch, and 
that their attention was engrossed wholly by the extension of 
trade. But now a proposition was made which, in its execution, 
changed the current of history. This proposition was made by 

t 

the Directors of the New Xetherland Trading Company, for the 
emigration to America of a certain English preacher versed in tlie 
language of the Dutch, then residing at Leyden, together witli 
more than four hundred families from both Holland and England, 
whom he had assured the petitioners he could induce to accompany 
him. These petitioners also asked that tn-o ships of war might 
be dispatched "for the preserA^ation of the counti'y's rights, and 
that the aforesaid minister and the four hundred families might 
be taken under the protection of the government; alleging that 
His Majesty of Great Britain would be disposed to people the afore- 
said lands with the English nation." 

This petition did not meet with a favorable reception. Bur 
tlie preacher referred to, the Eev. Mr. Eobinsou, and a portion of tlie 
four hundred families, did embark for America — started from Delft 
in the Mayflower and Speedwell, July IG, 1620, and as is well 
known, though they were destined for the Hudson Elver, yet they 
lauded at Plymouth, Mass., and became the pioneers of the 
reuoAvued Pilgrim Fathers. 

The Dutch West India Company, though incorporated in l(i2l, 
did not go into operation until 1G23. Then, having taken posses- 



* This was Robert Juet, Hemy ITuilson's mate, wlio was with him iu his 
explorations of the Hudson and Delaware Kivers, and also Hudson's Bay, and 
was also one of the mutineers, who put Hudson and his son on a boat, leaving: 
them to their fate. 



5<S CHESTER COUNTY 

sion of tlie Hiidsou and Delaware Kivers, they sent out a vessel 
under the command of Captain Cornelis Jacobson Mey and Captain 
Adriaen Joris Trenpont, the former of wlioni, passing np the Dela- 
ware Kiver, eret-ted Fort Nassau, near, as has since been ascer- 
Taind, the mouth of Little Timber Creek, the date of its erection 
havinji' been 1024. The seat of government of New Netherlands 
was fixed upon Manhattan Island, and Peter Minuit made governor, 
or director, as he Avas more properly called. This settlement on 
the Delaware, however, was of short duration, being vacated in 
lt)25, for the purpose of strengthening the colony on Manhattan 
Island. Rut later, in order to niaiiitniu their ])ossessions on the 
Delaware, the Dutch sent out two of the directors of the West India 
Coiuiiany, Samuel Gi>d.\n and Samuel Blomaert, to ptirchase a 
large tract of laud at the motith of the bay, which purchase was 
confirmed July Hi, ItiSO. A suuill colony on Lewes Creek was cut 
off by Indians, and a colony of Englisli from Connecticut attempted 
in 1G35 to settle on the DelaAvare, but were taken ])risoners by 
the Dtitcli and sent to Manhattan. 

A Swedish West India Company was organized as early as 
1630, for the purpose of colonization and commerce; but owing to 
the death, in lfi32, of Gustavus Adolphus, nothing was accom- 
plished until KiST, when a settlement was made, or rather pro- 
jected, ou tlie Delaware Kiver. Two ships, named the "Kalmar 
Nyckel" and the "Gripen," or, in other Avords, the "Key to Kalmar'' 
;md the "Griffin," were placed under the command of Peter Minuit, 
who will be remembered as a former director, or governor, of Man- 
hattan Island, in the service of the Dutch, and witli these two ves- 
sels he sailed from Gotteuburg late in the year 1G37. Some time 
during the following March Minuit ptirchased land ou tlie west 
side of the Delaware River from the Indians, these lands lying on 
what these Indians called the Minquas IJiver, to which river Minuit 
gave the name Christina, in honor of the Queen of Sweden, and 
upon these lands he erected a fort, which he nauiwl Fort Christina, 



AN/) rrs I'l'.orLE. 59 

aboiil two and ii lialf miles aliovc ilic inoiitli of (ho rivei" of tho 
saiiic name. While these i(r(»cee(liii;;s oT the Swedes were not ])leas- 
hv^ ((I the Diilrli, Ihev did no inofe than to i)i'otest nfjaiiist them, 
and, accordinL; to Acrelins, llie Swedes pni'chased lands of the 
Indians alon^ the weslein bank of t lie Delawari', as far n]i as tin; 
present site of the cil v of Trenton. 

Upon the JHdaware Minnit left twenty-three men under the 
command of Mans Klinj; and Ilenriek lluyehens, the former bein<;- 
the military and the latter the civil jiovernor of the colony. 

The "Knimar Nyckid," in Kilt), brought out reinforcenienis 
foi- the colony, and in Kill the sann- vessel brought out a third 
ex])edilion, bcim; I his tinu' a(((nnpanied by the "Charitas." Many 
of the colonists coming al this linu' were Finns. By i)ermission 
of the Sweilish j;()vernnH'nt, a colony of Hollanders was established 
below Christina. In 1<)42 a further expediticm sailed from the old 
countiy in two vessels, the "Sfoork" and the "J{enown," under 
command of John I'lintz, who, thinkini; that Fort Christina did 
not snlliciently commainl the riser, erected a new lortress on the 
island of 'i'eniU'conU, or as it has been known for many years, 
Tinicum, this island at jiresent, beini; within the limits of Delaware 
County, but being a part of Chester C(junty when this county Avas 
first established. It is separated from the mainland by Darby 
Creek. 

This lorli-ess on Tenneconk Island was named Xew (lotten- 
biiri;, and in addition lo the fort, (iovernor Priutz erected a line 
mansion for himscdf and his family, which he named "I'rintz ITall," 
ii very handsome and convenient home, which, after standing for 
about one humlred and sixty years, was accidentally destroyed by 
lire within I he limits of Die present century. Within eight mtrnths 
from the time of his arrival (iovernor I'rintK erected another fori, 
w liirh he named Fort Elsiid)org, upon which he mounted eight 12- 
ponnd brass cannon. 

It will thus be seen (hat when Covernor I'rintz arrived there 



6o CHESTER .COUNTY 

were a few persons at Fort Nassau, a few at the Swedish colony at 
Christina, now Wilmington, Del., and also a few at the Dutcn col- 
ony a short distance below Christina. Governor Printz brought out 
with him his wife and one daughter, a lieutenant-governor and 
secretary, a chaplain and a surgeon, twenty-four regular soldiers, 
and officers enough for a considerably larger force. The two vessels 
iie commanded were well filled with stores and provisions, mer- 
chandise suitable for traffic with the Indians, and also a few set- 
tlers. This colony established by Govei'nor Printz was the first 
one within the limits of Pennsylvania, and, of course, the first 
within the earlier limits of Chester County, that was successful. 

The Swedes made such rai)id progress in the settlement of the 
lower Delaware, in the State subsequently bearing the name of 
Delaware, and also in Pennsylvania, that the Dutch became some- 
what alarmed lest they shovild lose tlie trade of the Indians. The 
extent and importance of this trade is indicated by the fact that in 
1044 they had loaded two vessels, the "Kalmar Nyckel'' and the 
"Fame," Avith cargoes including 2,127 packages of beaver skins 
and 70,421 pounds of tobacco. During the year 1646 they erected a 
church at Tinicum, which they dedicated on October 4, dedicating 
also at the same time the burying-ground in which the first body 
deposited was that of Catherine Hanson, daughter of AndreAV Han- 
son, which was laid to rest October 28, 1646. 

" During and on account of the controvei'sies betA\-een the 
Swedes and the Dutch over the possession of this fertile territory. 
Governor Stuyvesant of New Amsterdam caused the erection of a 
fort at the present site of New Castle, Delaware, to which he gave 
the name of Foil; Casimir. To the erection of this fort Governor 
Printz, although he protested against it for a time, ultimately 
became reconciled. But his successor, John Eysingh, who arrived 
and began his administration in 1(!54, captured the Dutch fort, 
Casimir, on Trinity Sunday, and called it, in honor of that day, 
Trefalldiglieet. The Dutch in the vicinity of this fort then took the 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 6i 

oath of allegiance to the Swedish government. This capture of 
Fort Casimir, as might have been expected, aroused the anger of 
the Dutch to such a degree that on September 5, 1055, Governor 
Stuyvesant, with seven men of war, and some 600 or 700 armed 
soldiers, sent over from Holland for the purpose, arrived in the 
Delaware Eiver. The next day Fort Trefalldigheet surrendered 
to Governor Stuyvesant, and For-t Christina followed soon after- 
ward, without bloodshed in either case, or a battle of any kind, the 
name of the former then becoming New Amstel, which name it 
retained until it came into possession of the English, who called it 
Newcastle, as it lias since remained. The capture of these two forts 
terminated Swedish authority on the Delaware, which had ex- 
tended up into Pennsylvania, their most northern settlements 
reaching to the present limits of Philadelphia. 

But the Dutch did not long remain in possession of the terri- 
tory they had conquered from the Swedes. Charles II having been 
restored to the throne of Great Britain, granted to his brother 
James, Duke of York, the territory embracing the whole of the 
States of New York and New Jersey, and afterward the State of 
Delaware. Articles were drawn up between the Dutch and Eng- 
lish, which were signed by eight persons of each nationality, and 
approved by Colonel Eichard Nicolls, Deputy Governor of New 
York, by the terms of which the Dutch surrendered to the Eng- 
lish all their rights in New Netherlands, including the settlements 
on the Delaware, the date of the affixing of these signatures being 
August 27, 1GG4, old style. Soon aften^'ard the English took posses- 
sion of the Delaware, which they continued to hold with the excep- 
tion of a short period in 1673 and 1674. 

Passing over several important events of general importance, 
but which may be considered of minor interest as pertaining to the 
histoiT of Chester County, it may be mentioned that in May, 1675, 
Governor Andros of New York visited the settlements on the Dela- 
ware, and on the 13tli and 14th of that month held a special court 



62 Cni'JSTER COUNTY 

at New Castle, at AAiiicli it was ordered that "higliAvays should be 
cleared from place to place within the precincts of the govern- 
ment." It was also ordered that the chnrch in the toAvn should 
be regulated by tlie court, aud tliat the meeting at Crane Hfteck 
should continue as previously; and also that the church at Tinicum 
Island should serve for Upland and the adjoining portions of that 
section of the country. The magistrates of Upland were ordered 
to have a church built at Wiokegkoo, which should serve for the 
inhabitants of Passayuuk aud those higher up the river, and these 
magistrates were empowered to levy a tax for this purpose and to 
maintain a minister. " 

This is the eai'liest record of the proceedings of auy court on 
the Delaware River, and the order with reference to the clearing of 
the roads from place to place was the first step taken for the estab- 
lishment of roads in the States of Delaware and Pennsylvania, or in 
other words, was the first road law in either State. 

By the Swedes the territory which afterward, in a somewhat 
remarkable manner, became Chester County, was organized, if it 
may be said to have been organized, as Upland County. The name 
was changed to Chester County by William Penn,or,in better words, 
William Penn permitted his friend, Tlinmas Pearson, so to name it 
in honor of the city of Clu^ster, the county seat of Cheshire County, 
in the west of England. In this connection it may be interesting 
to note that the names of many towns in England have this word, 
Chester, as a part of their composition, as Chichester, for example, 
and that these places were originally Roman camps. The Roman 
Avord castra and the Saxon word ceaster, became in time the Eng- 
lish word Chester. 

From Dr. Smith's "History of Delaware County," published iu 
1862, the following paragraph is quoted with reference to this 
change of name: "He (Penn) landed at Upland, but the place was to 
bear that familiar name no more forever. Without refiection Penn 
determined that the name of this place should be changed. Turning 



AND IT^ PEOPLE. 65 

round to liis Mend Pearson, one of his own society, wlio luvd ncconi- 
panied him in the shijt "Welcome, he said: 'Providence has bron^lit 
us here safe. Thou hast been the companion of my perils. Wliut 
would thou that I should call this place?' Pearson said: 'Chester, 
iu remembrance (»f that city from whence we came.' William Pena 
replied that it sliouhl be called Chester, and that when he divided 
the land into counties, one of then should be called by the same 
name Thus, from a mere whim, the name of the oldest town; the 
name of the one settled part of the province; the name which would 
naturally have a place in the affections of a large majority of the 
inhabitants of the new province, was effaced, to gratify the caprice 
or vanity of a friend! All great men occasionally do little things." 

Eeviewing briefly what has been presented above as to the gov- 
ernments which at different times held swaj' over the west bank of 
the Delaware IJiver, it will be seen that Avhat was afterward formed 
into (Chester County was a part of the folloAving colonies from time 
to time: Xew Netherlands, from KIOO to 1G38; Xew Sweden, from 
1638 to 1055; New Netherlands, from 1(!55 to 1(>5G; New Amstel, 
from l(i5(! to lOGl; New York, from l(i(U to KITS; New Netherlands, 
from 1()73 to Kill ; and New York, from lOTl to 1G82. 

This was the year iu which William Penn arrived, took jjosses- 
sion of his grant and divided his province into three counties: 
Chester, Bucks and Philadelphia. The precise date when this di- 
vision into counties was made is not definitely known, but accord- 
ing to tradition it was November 25, the province having been 
granted to Penn by royal charter dated March 4, 1G81. The three 
counties above named were located on the right or west bank of 
the Delaware Kiver, and extended indefinitely to tlie west^-ard. 
The western boundary of Chester County was definitely established 
by the erection of Lancaster County, May 10, 1729, and the north- 
ern boundary was fixed by the erection of Berks County, March 11 , 
1752. 

Philadelphia Couuty formed the northeast and east bound- 



64 CHESTER COUNTY 

aries of the original Chester County until Montgomery County was 
established, September 10, 1784, and Delaware County was estab- 
lished September 26, 1789. The southern limits of the county were 
determined by the section of a circle of a radius of twelve miles 
and having for its center the court-house at New Castle, so far 
as the State of Delaware was concerned, and by the famous Mason 
and Dixon's line, so far as Maryland was concerned, which line is in 
latitude 30 degrees 43 minutes 2G.3 seconds north. The history of tliis 
famous line may be found elsewhere in this volume. 

The original extent of Chester County may be inferred, from 
the fact that twenty-five counties have been taken either directly or 
indirectly- fi'om its territory as at first organized. Lancaster and 
Delaware were taken from it directly at the dates above given, and 
the following have since been taken from it indirectly: 

York, from Lancaster, August 19, 1749; 

Cumberland, from Lancaster, January 27, 1750. 

Bedford, from Cumberland, March 9, 1771; 

Westmoreland, from ]'>edford, February 6, 1773; 

Washington, from Be<lfo¥d, March 28, 1781; 

Fayette, from Westmoreland, September 26, 1783; 

Franklin, from Cumberland, September 9, 1784; 

Dauphin, from Lancaster, March 4, 1785; 

Huntingdon, from Bedford, September 20, 1787; 

Allegheny, from Westmoreland, September 24, 1788; 

Somerset, from Bedford, April 17, 1795; 

Greene, from Washington, February 9, 1796; 

Beaver, from Washington, March 12, 1800; 

Butler, from Allegheny, March 12, 1800 ; 

Erie, from Allegheny, iNlarch 12, 1800; 

Mercer, from Allegheny, March 12, ISOO; 

Crawford, from Allegheny, March 12, 1800. 

Cambria, from Allegheny, March 26, 1804; 

Lebanon, from Allegheny, February 16, 1813. 




s 

o 
o 

o 

J 

<: 



< 

H 
U 

o 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 67 

Perry, from Cumberland, March 22, 1820; 

Blair, from Cumberland, February 2G, 1846; 

Lawrence, from Cumberland, March 20, 1849, and 

Fulton, from Bedford, April 19, 1850. 

These counties, however, together with the present Chester 
County, do not embrace all of the original Chester County, for por- 
tions of several other counties were taken from the original terri- 
tory of Chester County. 

The first county seat, or seat of justice, of Chester County was 
at the town of Chester, on the right bank of the Delaware Eiver, at 
the mouth of Chester Creek. As has been stated elsewhere, the 
first European inhabitants of this place were for the most part 
Swedes, who named the place Upland. The first court held there, 
of the proceedings of which there is any record, was held by jus- 
tices of the peace, September 13, IGSl, and on the ancient record of 
this court at the February temi of 1682 Upland is first named 
Chester. 

However, it should not be inferred that this was the first court 
lield at Upland; for at least ten years previously there had been 
held a court at that place. Governor Lovelace of New York having 
in 1672 issued an order respecting a piece of land in Amosland, now 
in Ridley Township, Delaware County, which order was as follows: 
"Whereas, complaint hath been make unto him by Jan Cornells 
Mattys Mattysen and Martin Mai'tinsen, inhabitants at Amosland, 
in Delaware Eiver, that after having been quietly possessed of a 
parcel of Valley or MeadoAv Ground by the island over against Oal- 
coon Hooke, near their plautacon, Israel Helm did, by misin- 
formacon, obtain a patent for the same, having never possession 
or pretense thereto before, so that the said inhabitants are dispos- 
sessed to the ruin of their plantacons without relief; these are to 
authorize and empower the court at Upland, with the assistance 
of one or two of the High Court, to examine into the matter and 
make report of the truth thereof unto me, that I ma/ make som.e 
5 



68 CHESTER COUNTY 

order hereu^iou in equity ami _i;oo(l eouscieuce. Given, etc., tlii-; 
8th day of August, 1672." 

The sheriff for the Dehnvare Kiver for 1()72 was Edmund Cani- 
well, and lie was also made collector of quit rents in place of Wil- 
liam Tom, resigned. It Avas in tliis year that the war broke out 
between the English and the Dutch, and a fleet of the latter named 
nation appeared before NeAv York Aiigust 0, 1G73, in the absence 
of Governor Lovelave in New Haven. The fort at New York sur- 
rendered after a slight resistance, and the country again passed 
under the autliority of the Dutch. A governor and council having 
been appointed, the council held sittings at Fort William Hendrick, 
which name the Dutch gave to Fort New York. Before this trib- 
unal the Delaware deputies appeared, submitting to the "ITigu 
Miglitinesses, the Lords iStates General of the New Netherlands 
and his Serene Highness the Prince of Orange," on September 12. 
These Delaware deputies obtained in return for their submission 
for their constituents the privileges of "free trade and commerce 
with Christians and Indians"; freedom of conscience; secur- 
ity in the possession of their houses and lands, and 
exemption from all rent charges and excise duties on wine, 
beer and distilled liquors, consumed on tlie South or Delaware 
River. Tliis last privilege Avas to continue until 1070. Three 
courts of justice were established at this time on the Delaware — 
one at New Amstel, one at Hoorn kill and one at Upland, the juris- 
diction of the latter extending provisionally from the east and west 
banks of Kristina kill upward to the head of the river. 

When the peace was made between the English and Dutch, 
February 9, 1674, the possessions along the Delaware were again 
restored to the English, and Edmund Andros, appointed governor 
of New York July 15, upon liis arrival, received possession from the 
Dutch governor, Colve. 

After 1661 the Dutch did not figure in the history of Pennsjd- 
vania, nor did the Swedes, nor did either people in either Pennsyl- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 69 

yania or Delaware after lOT-i. But still that they wei'e present 
in the State at one time will always be evident from the fact that 
in several places Dutch names remain, such as Schuylkill, Hen- 
lopen and Boomties Hoeck. Schuylkill' means "hidden creek," 
and was given to the river because its mouth could not be easily 
seen. That there were Indians here is also evident from names of 
places still remaining, and which will doubtless ever remain. The 
Indians called the Schuylkill Mauaiung, and Manayunk is now the 
name of a suburb of Philadelphia near the Wissahickon. While 
the Swedes were in the early day excellent people and settlers, yet 
they left very few names of places. After the conquest of tlie 
country by the English there were many Swedes still in the country, 
and sixty years after the arrival of the Quakers there were on the 
DelaAvare Kiver nearly a thousand persons speaking- the Swedish 
language. 

As stated elsewhere William Penn ai*rived on the Delaware^ 
in 1682. After dividing the province of Pennsylvania into three 
counties, he divided Delaware also into three counties, and that 
State has still but that number of counties. The first legislative as- 
sembly convened December 4, 18G2,at Chester, united the two States 
of Delaware and Pennsylvania, naturalized the Swedes and other 
aliens, and established a code of laws. The provincial council was 
organized in Philadelphia March 10, 1G83, and the land purchases 
of 1682, 1736, 1749, 1758, 1768 and 1784, extinguishing the Indian 
titles to the land, indicate the progress of the settlement of the 
province up tlie Delaware River and westward through Chester 
County. 

In a general Avay it may be stated that those who settled in 
the eastern townships of this county- were Welsh; those who set- 
tled in the southern and middle townships were English Quakers, 
and those who settled in the northern and western townships were 
Dutch and Germans. To a considerable extent the population of 
the several sections exhibits to this day the peculiar character- 
istics of its ancestors. 



JO CHESTER COLXTT 

Most of the Welsh that came to Pennsj'lvania in the early 
day were Quakers. They moved here to liaA'e a country of theii* 
own. At first they were assisted in this hope by William Peuu, 
with whom, before leaviiiu their native country, they had made an 
agreement by which they were to have a tract of land containing- 
forty thousand acres set apart for them, on which they could have 
a little government of their own, and live by themselves. In 1682, 
when they began to arrive, this forty thousand acre tract was sur- 
veyed for them west of the Schuylkill Eiver, and it included that 
fine stretch of counti'y now so familiar to the people of eastern 
Pennsylvania and so atti'active to them on account of its elegant 
suburban homes along the Pennsylvania railroad. This is tlie 
watershed between the Schuylkill and the Delaware Elvers, 
rising steadily from the west bank of the Schuylkill for about 
twenty-five miles, the summit of which is near Paoli, where the 
elevation is about 630 feet above tidewater, or perhaps it would be 
better to say, the level of the sea. On the northern side beautiful 
views are obtained of what is now well-kno-\An as the Chester valley, 
but which the Welsh themselves called Duffrin Mawr, or Great 
Valley. The tract thus assigned to them was a magnificent do- 
main of hill and dale, covered with splendid oaks, poplars and syca- 
mores. For a time the Quaker meetings niled this counti'y, but in 
1690 the three townshijis witliin its limits, Merion, Haverford and 
Eadnor, were organized, aud as time went forward the Welsh 
spread out into Newton, Goshen and Uwchlan, others spreading 
out into Montgomery County, wliere places like Gwyuedd aud 
Penllyn still remain. 

At the present writing (1S9S) what is said to be the oldest 
house in Gwynedd Township is being torn down. It was built in 
1712, and is thus 186 years old. It is supposed to have been erected 
by William John, who was certainly Welsh, his name being in- 
dubitable evidence of that fact, and the site was within the limits 
of his tract of land. It was verv substantiallv built of stone. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 71 

lu 1GS5 Merion Township was separated from Haverford aud 
Iiadnor and was a separate township of Philadelphia County. Up 
to this time they had been the controlling influence in Chester 
County, but by this division they became a minority of both Chester 
and Philadelphia Counties, and, though they resisted it, as was 
natural, yet they were gradually assimilated with or absorbed by 
theirneighbors,aud long since became an undistinguishable portion 
of the great American people. As a general thing their names be- 
came Anglicized. Ap Humphrey became Pumphrey; Ap Howell 
became Powell; Ap Hugh became Pugh, etc. Some of their names 
were so nearly- of English form that no change has ever taken 
place, as Roberts, Thojuas, etc., and some of them still remain as 
in the original Welsh: Eastcaln, Westcaln, Uwchlan and Tredy- 
ffrin. There are also many Welsh names along the Pennsylvania 
railway, as folloMs: Merion, Wynnefood, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, 
Radnor and Berwyn. St. David, which is also retained, Avas tlie 
patron saint of the "S^'elsh. 

One of the principal features of the drainage of Chester 
County, as well as of other counties in tJie southeast corner of the 
State, is that most of the streams flow southeastwardly into the 
Delaware River. No stream enters Chester County from Lancaster 
County. The northeastern part of the county is bordered by the 
Schuylkill River for a distance of about twelve miles. 

Darby Creek rises near Paoli and flows through Easttown into 
Delaware County, and so on down to the Delaware River, but 
before reaching the latter it divides into two branches, which to- 
gether separate Tinicum Island from the mainland. Crum Creek 
rises west of Paoli and flows through Willistown in a southerly 
direction. Ridley Creek rises near Frazer station and flows through 
East Goshen and Willistown. Chester Creek, east branch, rises in 
West Whiteland and flows south through East Goshen and West- 
town into Thornbury, where it unites with the west branch, which 
rises near ^^'est Chester, and then flows southeast into Delaware 



72 CHESTER COUNTY 

Ooiintv. These four streams rise along the crest of the South 
Valley hill, on a straight line which is about ten miles in length. 

Brandywine Eiver, east branch, rises in the northwest part of 
the county, in West >>'antmeal ToAvuship, flows southward 
across the valley at Downingtown station, and then past what was 
once Oopesville, Sagersville, opposite Lenape station, and Chadd's 
Ford, and then passes on into Delaware and enters the Delaware 
Kiver near Wilmington. It is joined by the west branch about 
midway between North Brook postoffice and Lenape postoffice. 
Valley Creek flows west along the valley to near Garland, turns 
south and unites with the Brandywine about a mile above Oopes- 
ville. Broad Uun flows west into Valley Creek near Harmony. 
Taylor's liuu flows west into Blackhorse Run, which latter 
flows west into the Brandywine near Copesville. Plum Bun rises 
in West Chester borough and flows southwest into the Brandj^wine 
at Sagersville, as also does Radley Run, except that this stream 
flows into the Brandywine one-half mile further south. 

Brandywine River, west branch, rises in the extreme north- 
western part of the county, flows across the valley and then south- 
southeast ten miles to the east branch, which it joins between 
Copesville and Sagersville. 

Pocopsou Ci-eek flows east into the Brandywine one mile below 
Sagersville. Ring's Ruu flows from the west into the Brandywine 
at Chadd's Ford. Red Clay Creek, east and west branches, drains 
most of the county west of the Brandywine and flows south into 
the State of Delaware. White Clay Creek, east branch, rises at 
and west of Upland and flows south past Avondale. While Clay 
Creek, middle branch, rises at Londonderry and flows south-south- 
east eight miles, when it joins the west branch, and then two miles 
further down this enlarged stream joins the east branch at the 
State line of Delaware. White Clay Creek, west branch, rises at 
Kelton and flows south and then east. 

Elk Creek rises in the vicinity of Eussellville and the Lincoln 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 73 

TJuiversity, and flows southeast into MarTland. Little Elk Creek 
rises at New Prospect and Oxford Borough, and flows east and 
south into Maryland. Northeast Creek rises at Nottingham post- 
office, and flows southeast and then south into Maryland. Octoraro 
Creek bounds tlie county on the west from near Christiana, and 
flows southwest to the Maryland state line and on into the Sus 
quehanna. 

Buck llun and Doe liun drain Highland Township and parts 
of several other townships, and flows eastward into the Brandy- 
wine six, miles below Coatesville. Muddy Eun rises near Cochrau- 
ville and flows seven miles into the Octoraro below Hellbank 
bridge. French Creek rises at the Berks County line and flows 
soutlieast, entering the Schuylkill at Phn>nixville. 

Pickering Creek, with its branches, Pine IJuu and Pigeon Run, 
flows east into the Schuylkill, about a mile beloAV Phoanixville. 
Pigeon Creek flows into the Schuylkill four miles below Pottstown. 
Stony Ivun enters the Schuylkill just below Phoenixville. 

The fall of the Schuylkill Elver from Douglasville, four and a 
half miles above Pottstown, down to Philadelphia, is from 161 
feet t o 28 feet above sea level, or 133 feet. 

The nature of the rocks through which these several streams 
flo\\', together with some remarks as to the amount of erosion some 
of them have caused, will be treated of under the geological de- 
scrix)tion of the county. 

The history of th(- soutlicrn boundary of Chester County is 
of e()ual interest with that of the southern boundaiy of the State 
of Pennsylvania, for the history of the one is substantially that of 
the other. In order to correctly understand this historj' it is neces- 
sary to begin with the grants to the original English proprietors. 
The proprietary charter of Pennsj'lvania was drawn in 1(!S1, and, 
as was supposed, in plain and simple terms. Prior thereto William 
Penn ^^•as flnancially interested in the Jerseys, but that interest 
gradually dwindled until it became of little iH-actical importance. 



74 CHESTER COUNTY 

But it was liis experience in the Jerseys that led him to choose 
Pennsylvania, as it came afterward to be known, as the field for 
his "holy experiments," the results of which have long been known 
to the world. 

To the father of William Penn, Admiral Penn, the English 
government was indebted for services to tlie extent of £16,000, 
which the Admiral had attempted in vain to collect, either in the 
form of money or in a grant of laud, and he therefore suggested to 
his son, William, that he, if possible, should secure the grant, 
which, upon the Admiral's death, William immediately set himself 
about. On June 1, 1680, he presented a petition to the King out- 
lining the extent of the grant desired in lieu of tlie £16,000, men- 
tioning, however, only pecuniary considerations. 

At length, after long deliberation, and after the Privy Council 
had held several meetings, at which the counsellor for the Duke of 
York and the agents for Lord Baltimore played important parts, 
Penn obtained his desire on March 4, 1681, O. S., and a royal letter 
was sent to the inhabitants April 2, 1681, commanding due obedi- 
ence to the proprietaiy, his heirs and assigns; and the Duke of York 
was kind enough to execute a quit-claim deed to all the region in- 
cluded in Pennsylvania, though his grant did not extend to tlio 
westward of the Delaware River. 

This grant of laud to William Penn embraced all that section 
of country bounded on the east by the Delaware River from a 
point twelve miles from New Castle to the 43d degree of north lati- 
tude if the river extended that far, but if it did not, then by a 
meridian line from the head of the river to the 13d degree, and this 
region extended westward through 5 degrees of longitude a.s. 
computed from the eastern bounds. This region was to be bounded 
on the uorth by the beginning of the 43d degree, on the south by 
a circle drawn twelve miles distant from New Castle, northward 
and westward to the begiuuing of the 40th degree of north latitude, 
and by a straight line drawn thence westward to the limit of 
longitude. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. yy 

Befoi'e proceeding further with the history of the difficulty 
that existed between Lord Baltimore and William Penn, or, as it 
perhaps would be better to say, between Maryland and Pennsyl- 
vania, with regard to the dividing line between them, it is neces- 
sary to quote from the charter gi'anted to Lord Baltimore in 1G32, 
which was nearly fifty years before the grant was made to William 
Penn. This grant to Loi'd Baltimore reads in part as follows: 

''AH that part of the ijeninsula, or Chersouese, lying in the- 
borders of America, between the ocean on the east and the bay of 
Chesapeake on the west, divided from the residue thereof by a line 
drawn from the promontory or headland, called Watkin's Point, 
situated on the bay aforesaid and near the river, ^Vighco (Wicom- 
ico), on the west unto the main ocean on the east, and between that 
boundary on the south and that part of Delaware Bay on the nortli 
which lieth under the 40t.h degree of latitude, where New England 
terminates." 

The difficulty about the southern boundary of Pennsylvania 
was primarily caused by the use of the term "beginning of the iOth 
degree." Lord Baltimore claimed that his lands extended through- 
out the lOth degree, that is, from what is ahvays understood as thc^ 
39tli parallel to -v^hat is ahvays understood as the 40th parallel, and 
that no part of the 40th degree, or the belt of country between 
these two parallels, was excluded from the grant. 

The Penns claimed tliat the beginning of the 40th degree had 
reference to the entire space between the 39th and 40th parallels,, 
and thus it will be seen that the claim of the Penns, if allowed, 
would make the 39th parallel the southeni limit of Pennsylvania;, 
but that this could not really have been intended is proven by the 
charter, which stated that the beginning should be twelve miles 
from New Castle. But Avhen this place of beginning was first 
chosen it was supposed that the beginning of tlie 40th degree was 
twelve miles north of New Castle. The original intention was that 
Lord Baltimore should liave two degrees in width of latitude, a de- 



76 CHESTER COUNTY 

gree at that time being sixty miles, and that Penu's grant should 
include three degrees of latitude, from the beginning of the 40th 
degree to the beginning of the 43d degree. 

Had the claims of Lord Baltimore been allowed all the lands 
on the western side of the Delaware Kiver, from the site of the 
city of Philadelphia to the capes, would have been given to Mary- 
hintl, and the Penns would have been deprived of several valuable 
seaports. Hence it is not surprising that Penn should resist the 
claim of Lord Baltimore. Had the claims of Penn been conceded 
the southern limit of Pennsylvania would have extended south to 
the 89th pai'allel, and Lord Baltimore would have had a strip 
of hind not much more than sixty miles in width at its eastern end. 

In order to settle the matter satisfactorily, all that was needed 
to be conceded was the fact that the charter itself expressh^ states 
that the beginning of the 43d degree and the 43d degree were pre- 
cisely the same, for it states that the province shall be bounded 
on the east by the Delaware Kiver fi'om the point twelve miles 
north of Xew Castle to tlie 43d degree, and that on the north it 
should be bounded by the 43 degree, or, in other words, those who 
wrote the charter understood the same thing by the beginning of 
i\ degree and the degree itself. 

The difficulties, it will be seen, Avere caused by the ambiguities 
and uncertainties, if not contradictions, of the language used in 
the grants. Both sides were laid before the King in 1GS4, and in 
1G83 an order in council was issued, which said in substance that 
as the lands granted to Lord Baltimore were originally designed 
to be only sncli as were then inhabited by savages, the said Lord 
was not entitled to the land lying between the river and bay of 
Delaware and the Eastern sea on the one hand and Chesapeake 
Bay on the other; but still they decided that this tract of land 
should be dividcil into two iMjual parts by a line from the latitude of 
Cape Henlopen to the 40th degree of north latitude, the southern 
hoinidiny of I'ennsvlvania by charter, and that one-half thereof 



A2iD ITS PKOl'LE. yj 

should belong to his majesty and tlie other half should remain to 
Lord Baltimore, as comprised in his charter. 

There was much difficulty afterward in the survey of the par- 
allel from Cape Heulopeu to Chesapeake Bay, the precise middle 
of which was to be the starting point for the line to run north- 
ward to the said 10th parallel, but here it can only be stated that 
finally, on May 15,1750, Lord Chancellor Hardwicke pronounced his 
decree, according to which the survey began November 12, tlie same 
year. According to this decree the circle about which there had 
been so much discussion should have its center at the center (if 
the town of New Castle, and that its radius should be twelve 
miles. Immediately, however, a curious difficulty arose as to the 
method of measuring the radii of this circle, the commissioners 
from Maryland claiming that they should he measured according 
to tlie inequalities of the ground, that is, superficially, which would 
of course make the circle smaller than if the horizontal or geomet- 
rical method were pursued, which was the claim of the Penns. The 
latter, however, finally won their case and the circle was so drawn 
that all parts of the circumference were, or were supposed to be, 
equally distant from the center. 

This being settled, the survey of the base line from Cape Heu- 
lopeu to Chesapeake Bay was begun, both sides agreeing that a 
point should be selected 139 rods due east from a stone already 
fixed on the northern part of Fenwick's Island, near the former 
Cape Henlopeu, and should nm across the peninsula to Chesa- 
peake Bay. The surveyors established the east and west line as far 
as Slaughter's Creek, when the Maryland commissioners insisted 
that the line should go no further, and that its length should be 
06 miles aud 248^ rods, while the Pennsylvania commissioners 
declared that it should be extended to the shore of Chesapeake 
Bay, aud should be 69 miles 298 rods in length. The deadlock 
over this question lasted from April, 1751, Avhen the survey com- 
menced, until November, 1754, and the question was afterward in 



78 CHESTER COUNTY 

the courts until 1760, when Lord Baltimore succumbed to the cou- 
tentions of the Penns, the base line was made 69 miles 298 rods 
long, and its exact middle was 34 miles 309 rods from the fixed 
point on Fenwick's Island. 

Thus it will be seen that the loss to Maiwland and the gain to 
Delaware by the success of the Penns was a strip of land 1 mile 
184f rods in width, the lengtli of the north and south line from the 
base line to the northern boundary of Maryland, or rather to the 
twelve mile circle. And thus it will also be seen the peculiarly 
shaped point that runs down from the south part of Chester- 
County between the twelve mile circle and the eastern boundary 
of Marj'land was correspondingly affected. 

This north and south line from the middle of the base line 
was required to be run northward up the said peninsula until it 
should touch the circle above mentioned so as to make a tangent 
thereto, and there the said straight line should end. Then at the 
northern point or end of the said straight line, a line was to begin 
and run due north above tlie said peninsula, but so far only until it 
should come into the same latitude as a line running east and west 
through a point which was fifteen English statute miles due south 
of the most southern jjoint of the city of Philadelphia. Then a due 
east and west line was to be run in the manner following: It 
should begin at the northern point of the due north and south lino 
and should thence run due west across the Susquehanna Kiver to 
the utmost western extent of the Province of Pennsylvania, that is, 
through five degrees of longitude from its eastern boundary on the 
Delaware River. 

The running of the temporary southern boundary of the Prov- 
ince of Pennsylvania was an important episode of the histoi'y of 
Chester County, that is, that part of it aside from the drawing of 
the twelve mile circle, and hence it is treated of briefly in this work. 
An order in council dated May 25, 1738, provided for the running of 
this temporary line. On December 5, 1738, the commissioners, on 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 79 

the part of Maryland, Colonel Levin Gale and Samuel Cliamber- 
laine, met the commissioners on the part of Pennsylvania, Richard 
Peters and Lawrence Growdon, on Society Hill, the mayor of Phil- 
adelphia being- present, as well as several of the aldermen and 
prominent gentlemen of Philadelphia, and the most southern point 
in the city of Philadelphia was ascertained. The commissioners 
then adjourned to the house of John Postlethwaite, where it was 
unanimously agreed to settle the vai'iation of the compass by 
fixing a meridian line by an observation to be made when the Pole 
Star and the first star in the tail of the Great Bear under the Pole 
should be in the same vertical circle, or in a perpendicular line, 
one above the other. But on account of the cloudiness of the 
weather no observation could be made until the evening of the 
8th, and then the meridian line was fixed according to the rule 
aforesaid. 

A theodolite in the x>ossession of Benjamin Eastburn, sur- 
veyor for Pennsylvania, was tried and the variation of the needle 
was found to be 5 degrees 25 minutes to the west, and then a civ- 
comferenter in the possession of John Warner was tried, and the 
A'ariation of its needle was found to be 5 degrees 30 minutes to the 
west. The variation of the needle of the theodolite was accepted as 
that by which to run the temporary line. On the 11th of December 
about two miles of tlie line were run, but wintry weather coming 
on it was decided to adjourn until April 5, 1739. 

But it Avas not until April 11, 1739, that Avork on this survey 
Avas found to be :') degrees 25 minutes to the west, and then a circum- 
Eastburn's theodolite was precisely the same as before. On April 
23 the commissioners proceeded on a line to an old field belonging 
to John Xewlin, Avithin the Society land, on or near its north line, 
at a distance of about thirty-one miles due Avest from Philadelphia, 
Avhere it was agreed that the line had been run far enough to the 
Avest for avoiding the large Avaters of the Brandywine and Chris- 
tina Creeks, and that the surveyors should begin to set off the 



8o CHESTER COZ'XTY 

south line of iiftoeu miles aud a quarter, this distance from the east 
and west line from the southernmost point of the city of Philadel- 
])hia having been agreed upon instead of fifteen miles, between 
Lord Baltimore aud the Penns, by which the latter gained a strip 
one-fourth of a mile in width as far west as the Susquehanna 
Eiver, but to the west of the Susquehanna IJiver, the distance be- 
tween this base line of survey was to be only fourteen and thi'co- 
fourths miles. 

It was not long after beginning this survey of the south line 
before a dispute arose as to whether the superficial or horizontal 
method of measuring this loi mile line should be employed, the 
Marylaud commissioners of course insisting on the superficial meth- 
od and the Pennsylvania commissioners insisting on the horizontal 
method. The result of the discussion over this nmtter was that 
the Maryland commissioners yielded to the extent of allowing 
twenty-five perches over the fifteen and a quarter miles superficial 
measxire for the difference between the two methods. On April 24 
the two parties, after coming to this agreement, surveyed two miles 
of the line, and left off on the ground of Mr. Wickersham in East 
Marlboro Township. On the 25th they set off the twenty-five 
perches and surveyed seven statute miles, getting to the south 
line of the road leading to New Castle, in New Garden Town- 
ship. On the next day they completed the survey, and drove into 
the ground a stake at the distance of twenty perches from the 
road leading to Charles Tennent's Meeting House, in Mill Creek 
Hundred, New Castle County, Del., and on April 27. they began 
the west line at the aforesaid stake. 

Before reciting the history of the west line, just mentioned, 
it will be of interest to note an instance or two connected with 
the survey of the first thirty-oue miles of the line running west 
from the most southern point of Philadelphia, from which the 
distance of fifteen and a quarter miles was laid off to the south. 
It will be remembered that the survey of tliis base line began on 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 8i 

tJie lltli of April. While it was beinii- surveYed, ou the IStli of 
April, Ikiehard Peters, one of the conimissionei's for Peun.syl- 
vauia, reported to Governor Thomas that in the Avork they had 
found "a number of Attractions in runnino- the line, so many as to 
make it a doubt whether the Attractions Avere not stronger in the 
spring than in the fall of the year; sometimes the needle will be five- 
degrees to the southward and sometimes to the northward, within 
a station or two, that is to say, in other terms, the variation will 
be ten degrees westerly at one time and in an hour or two after that 
the variation will be lialf a degree east, or, perhaps, no variation ar 
all. We are got as far as one Weslow Parnell's in Edgemont Town- 
ship, about IG miles west of Philadelphia, and in this distance we 
have crossed the forcer lines, that have been run, several times; and 
now we are something to the south of the line run by John Taylor, 
and more to the south of the line run by the Jersey commissioners, 
and if Ben. Eastburn says truly we shall gain still more and more 
upon the last line, so as to come xevy near Elislia Gatchell's plan- 
tation. The surveyors go on amicably yet, but Col. Gale is much 
disturbed to lind the line jirove so as it does, and as he is disai»- 
poiuted by John Lad, he comes to town to procure another sur- 
veyor." 

On the 20th of the mouth Mr. Peters again Avrote to Governor 
Thomas, saying: "He" (Col. Gale) "has been extremely uneasy 
on account of the line continuing to gain on them, and it being 
apprehended tJiat the needle in Mr. Eastburn's theodolite might 
have been altered by some accident in its direction, we this morn- 
ing compared their theodolite and their two needles with ours, as 
we had done before on Society Hill, and the variation in all the 
three needles agreed most exactly with what it was then and 
now." And Col. Gale being then satisfied that the survey was going 
on rightly, came to the conclusion that the line they were then run- 
ning differed from the Jersey line, either because the Jersey com- 
missioners had got into an Attraction that carried them too far 



S2 CHESTER COUNTY 

north, Aviliout their being .lAvare of it, or that they had not been 
careful to fix the index bv which the variation was rightly regu- 
lated. 

The diflimlty ^vith reference to tlie method of surveying the 
fifteen and a quarter miles has been already mentioned; but there 
was a peculiar feature of it that does not appear to have been 
touched upon by writers on local history. After the agreement 
had been reached on April 25, that an allowance of twenty-five 
perches should be made in favor of the Pennsylvania claim, or, in 
other words, added to the length of the fifteen and a quarter 
miles line, Mr Eastburn, the suiTeyor for the Pennsylvania com- 
missioners, ascertained that the allowance of twenty-five perches 
would fully cover the difference between the methods of survey- 
ing the line, and, iu fact, Mr. Eastburn was satisfied that the dif- 
ference would not exceed twenty perches. Jtli*. Peters thereupon 
wrote to Governor Thomas, "humbly desiring your Honor to keep 
it private that this is the difference, lest they should come to the 
knowledge of it." >So that by this supei'ior knoAvledge and skill 
of her surveyor Pennsylvania was getting five perches in the 
length of the fifteen and a quarter mile line more than she was 
in reality entitled to. Or, in other words, Pennsylvania thus 
gained a strip of land along the southern border of the province 
eighty-two and a half feet iu Avidth for the entire five degrees of 
longitude, provided the temporary line had become permanent. 

It now remains to give a brief account of the sui'vey of the 
southern boundaiy line of the State, which is the southern bound- 
ary line of Chester County, from the peculiarly formed triangle, or 
point, so far as Chester County extends to the westward, and 
which is noAV famous in history as Mason and Dixon's line. 

The commissioners appointed under the deed of ITGO ad- 
dressed themselves to the work of completing the survey, but 
their progress was slow. Hence, on August 4, 17G.3, Thomas and 
Richard Penn and Lord Baltimore, all of whom were then in 



- AND ITS PEG PI. E. 85 

Londou, made an agreement with Charles Mason and Jeremiah 
Dixon, two mathematicians and snrveyors, "to mark, rnn out, set- 
tle, fix and determine all the parts of the circle, marks of lines 
and boundaries as were mentioned in the several articles and 
commissions and were not yet completed." Mason and Dixon 
landed at Thiladelphia November 15, 1763, and at once began 
their work with more perfect instruments than had been previously 
used in these surveys. They adopted the twelve-mile radius of 
their predecessors, and also their tangent point, as suflSciently ac- 
curate, and adjourned to Philadelphia to find its southern limit, on 
Cedar (now South) Street, on which street they erected an observ- 
atory that they might ascertain the latitude of this southern limit, 
this observatory being the first in America used for taking observa- 
tions of the stars. According to their observations this southern 
limit was in latitude 39 degrees 56 minutes 29 seconds. They then 
extended this latitude to the west sufficiently far to be due north 
of the tangent point, this being accomplished in Januaiy, 1764, and 
the distance run to the westward being thirtj^-one miles, to the 
forks of the Brandywine, where they planted a quartzose stone, 
which was long known in the vicinity as the "star-gazers' stone," 
which stood on Joel Harlin's land, in Xewlin Township, a short 
distance west of the Chester County almshouse, six miles 264 
perches west of the meridian of the West Chester court-house and 
446i perches south of the parallel of the West Chester court-house. 
Fi-om this "star-gazers' stone" they ran a line south to the lati- 
tude of the great due west line, fifteen miles, and there planted a 
post, from which they ran the due west line a short distance. Then 
going to the tangent point they ran a line due north to the latitude 
of the due west line, and at the intersection of the two lines, in a 
deep ravine, near a spring, they established the corner stone, 
which thenceforward was to be at the beginning of the due west 
line, the southern boundary of Pennsylvania, the northern bound- 
ary of Maryland, the famous Mason and Dixon's line. 
6 



86 CHESTER COUNTY 

This stoue whicli thns stands at the nortlieast oorner of Mary- 
land was ascertained bv Mason and Dixon to be in latitude 30 de- 
grees 43 minutes 18 seconds, but was afterward ascertained to be 
in latitude 39 degrees 43 minutes 26.3 seconds. During the sum- 
mer of 17(!4 they ran and marked the north and south line, or tlii- 
tangent line, which separates Max"yland from Dehxware, and then 
started for the stone at the northeast corner of Maryland. 

Early in the spring of 17G5 they returned to their work, and 
described that portion of the circle surrounding New Castle which 
fell to tJie westward of the meridian line, joining the tangent point 
with the stone at the northeast corner of Mai'yland, whicli meridian 
line cut off a segment of the circle which is about a mile and a half 
long and 116 feet wide in the widest part, which segment of the 
circle, according to the agreement, belongs to New Castle County, 
Delaware. From the point where this meridian line crosses the 
circle to the eastward, Mason and Dixon did not survey the circle, 
as Lord Baltimore had no interest in its location. But this point, 
which is at tlie meeting of three States, was carefully marked. 
From this point north to the northeast corner of Mai'yland is about 
three miles and a half, and the distance from the northeast corner 
of Maryland to the circle in a line running due east is about three- 
fourths of a mile. These were the distances established by Mason 
and Dixon, but recent controversies over the circular boundary 
between Delaware and Pennsylvania have changed the measure- 
ments somewhat. These controversies will be treated of briefly 
later on in this article. 

By June 17, 1765, the surveyors had carried the due west line 
to the Susquehanna Eiver, and received instructions to cari"y it as 
far west as Mainland and Pennsylvania were settled and inhabited. 
By the 27th of October they had reached the North (Cove or Kit- 
tatinny) Mountains, ninety-five miles west of the Susquehanna, 
where the temporary line, run in 1739, terminated. Early in 1766 



AWD ITS PEOPLE. 87 

they again began the survey, and by June 4 they liad reached the 
Little Alleghany Mountains, about 160 miles from the beginning. 
In 1767 they extended the line to a distance of 230 miles 18 chains 
and 21 links from the northeast coraer of Maryland, or 277 miles 
38 chains and 36 links from the River Delaware, near to an Indian 
war path, on the borders of Dunkard Creek. 

But trouble now began with the original inhabitants of the 
soil, that is, with the Six Nations, whose consent had to be obtained 
to the further survey of the line, and soon afterward, with an escort 
of fourteen stroud-clad warriors, an interpreter and a Mohawk 
chief, deputed by the Iroquois council, they pushed on from the 
summit of the Alleghany Mountains down into the valley of the 
Ohio, whose tributaries they soon crossed. Coming to the western 
limit of Maryland they still pushed on, resolved to reach the utmost 
limits of Peun's five degi'ees of longitude from the Delaware. 
By August 21 they came to the crossing of Braddock's Ford, and 
the escort became restless. The Mohawk chief and his nephew 
left the party, and the Shawnees and Delawares, who then occupied 
the territory into which the surveying part^- Avas penetrating, be- 
gan to grow hostile, and on September 27, at the distance of 233 
miles from the Delaware, twenty-six of the laboring men deserted, 
leaving only fifteen ax-men with the surveyors, who, however, 
pushed on, regardless of the danger, until they came to a point a 
little to the west of Mount Morris, in Greene County, when their 
Indian escort said to them that they had been instructed by their 
chiefs not to let the line be run westward of the Avar path at which 
they had then arrived — the old Catawba war path. 

The instruments used by Mason and Dixon Avere an ordinary 
surveyor's compass, to find their bearings in a general way; a quad- 
rant and a four-foot zenith sector, which they brought from Eng- 
land for absolute accuracy. The needle could not be relied upon 
because of the ferruginous character of the soil over which they 



88 _ CHESTER COIXTY 

had to mark the line. The sector enabled them to be guided by 
the heavenly bodies, which changed their positions very slowly. 

The "visto," as they called it, that is, the opening cut through 
the woods as they went along, was twenty-four feet in width, and 
throughout this width they had cut dowu all the trees and bushes, 
leaving them to rot upon the ground. Along the middle of this 
"visto," in the true parallel, monuments were erected at the dis- 
tance of five miles, eacli monument consisting of a stone bearing 
the coats of arms of AYilliam Penn on the side toward Pennsylva- 
nia, and those of Lord Baltimore on the side toward Maryland, 
most of these stones having been brought from England. This 
mode of demarkation was used as far the eastern base of the Side- 
ling Hill Mountain, 132 miles from the northeast corner of Mary- 
land, and from this point to the great Alleghany Mountains the 
line was denoted by conical heaps of dirt and stones six or seven 
feet high on the tops of ridges and mountiiins, and still further to 
the west as far as they went similar marks were erected at the end 
of every mile. 

As to the length of a degree of longitude on Mason and Dixon's 
line, it may be said that they made it ec^ual to 53 miles 157.1 perches, 
hence Penn's five degrees of longitude would extend from the Dela- 
ware Eiver westward to a distance of 267.4:54:0 miles. The length 
of a degree of longitude on the Mason and Dixon arc of the parallel, 
for which the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey takes the 
latitude of 39 degrees 43 minutes 20 seconds, is, according to 
Clarke's spheroid, 53.277 miles, and hence the five degrees of longi- 
tude eqiml 200.385 statute miles. Hence Mason and Dixon made 
an error in their measurement of these five degrees of 1.090 statute 
miles. 

Auothcn" point of interest connected with tlie lines run by 
Mason and Dixon is their determination of the length of a degree 
of latitude, in 17G4, on the line separating Delaware from Mary- 
land, known as tlie taugent line. They made the length of a degree 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 89 

ou this line 363,7G3 feet, or 68,894 statute miles,* for mean latitude 
39 degrees 12 minutes, measuring the whole line with deal rods, 
triangulation, which was brought into use in 1617, being inapplica- 
ble in this case. But according to Clarke's spheroid the true length 
of a meridianal degree at this latitude, 39 degrees 12 minutes, is 
68.983 miles, or 469.92 feet in excess of the length as ascertained 
by Mason and Dixon.f 

The circular boundary line is one of interest as to its history 
and of importance as to tlie effect its location has had upon the 
people living in its vicinity. When it was first located it was 
merely tlie division line between two counties, but later it came 
into controversy between two States. The first mention of it is 
made in the records of Upland Court, November 12, 1678, as fol- 
lows : 

"The limits and divisions between this (Upland) and New Cas- 
tle County were this day agreed upon and settled by the Court and 
Mr. John Moll, President of New Castle Court, to be as followeth, 
viz. : 'This county of Upland to begin from the north side of Oele 
Francens Creeke, othen\'ays called Steenkill, lying in the voght 
above the Yerdrietege hoeck, and from the said creek oner to the 
Singletree Point on the east syde of this river.' " 

"Steenkill," otherwise Stony Creek, is now known as Quarry 
Creek. "It crosses the Philadelphia, AVilmington & Baltimore rail- 



*It has sometimes been said that this weasuremeut of a degree of latitude 
by Mason and Dixon was the first ever measured on the surface of the ground; 
but this is not exactly correct, for, according to the Encyclopedia Brilaunica, the 
Caliph Almamoum, in 814 A. D., fl^ed upon a spot in the plains of Mesopotamia, 
sent one company of astiouomers north^^ard and another southward, measuring 
the journey by rods until each fouud the altitude of the Pole Star to have changed 
one degree, the northern party mailing a degree 56 miles and the southern 
party 50 2-3 miles. Again, about the year 1500, a Frenchman named Pernel 
measured a distance in the direction of the meridian near Paris by counting the 
number of revolutions of the wheel of his carriage as he traveled. 

fThese precise figures, according to Clariie's spheroid, were suppUed upon 
request by Henry .S. Pritchett, superintendent United States Coast and Geodetic 
Survey. 



90 CHESTER COUNTY 

road about three and tliree-qiiarters miles below the mouth of Naa- 
mau's Creek, in Brandywine Hundred, New Castle County." 
■'Verdrietege hoeck," also called Trinity Hook, lay between Stony 
Creek and Shellpot Creek; and Singletree Point is now known as 
Old Man's Point of the New Jersey shore, one mile below the mouth 
of Old Man's Ci'eek. 

Stony Creek is there on the dividing line, as at first located, 
and so remained until the grant to Penu fixed the boundaiw of his 
tract "on the south by a circle drawn at a distance of twelve miles 
from New Castle northward and westward. 

Later Naaman's Creek was recognized as the boundary line, 
and was so laid down by Thomas Holme, surveyor-general of the 
province, but still the boundarj^ line between the two counties was 
not fixed, and some of the inhabitants of Chester County petitioned 
for a division line between their county and that of New Castle. 
Therefore on the 9th of August, 1G93, it was resolved by the Council 
that the boundary of New Castle County should begin at the mouth 
of Naaman's Greek and upward along the southwest side of the 
northmost branch (excluding the townships of Concord and Bethel), 
and not to extend baekA\ ard of the said northmost branch above 
the said two townships. 

Still this arrangemeni did not prove satisfactory, and as there 
appeared to be danger of the three lower coiinties separating from 
the province, a conference was lield and a warrant issued dated 
28th of the Sth mo., 1701, directed to Isaac Taylor of Chester 
County, and Th(»mas Pierson of New Castle County, authoi'izing 
them to accompauj' the magistrates of the two counties interested, 
and in tlieir presence to "admeasure and survey from the town of 
New Castle tlie distance of twelve miles, in a right line," up the 
River DelaAvare, "and from said distance, according to the King's 
letters patent and deeds from the Duke," to survey the said circular 
line and mark it well two-thirds of the length of a semicircle. 

The magistrates agreed upon and established the center of the 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 91 

circle "at llie eud of the bor.se dyke uext to the towu of New Castle," 
aud tiie survey was accordiuglA' made. 

It may be interesting- to note the method nsed in 1701 by 
Messrs. Taylor and Pierson in surveying this t^\e]ve-mile circular 
boundary line, and hence the following quotation from their report: 

"We did begin in the presence of said justices at the said end 
of the horse dyke and measured due north twelve miles to a white 
oak marked with twelve notches, standing on the west bank of the 
Brandywine Creek on the land of Israel Helm, and from the sai<l 
white oak we ran eastward circularly, changing our direction from 
the east southward one degree at the end of every sixty-seven 
perches, which is the chord of one degree at a radius of twelve 
miles; and at the end of forty-three chords we came to the Delaware 
River, on the upper side of Nathaniel Lumplugh's old house at Chi- 
chester. And then returning to the said white oak on Israel 
Helm's land we ran from thence Avestward, changing our course 
one degree from the west southward at the end of every sixty- 
seven perclies until we had extended seventy-seven chords (which 
being added to the forty-three chords make two-third parts of the 
semicircle to a twelve-mile radius), all of which said circular line 
being well marked on each side of the trees to a marked hickory 
standing near the western branch of Ciiristina Creek.'' 

It will be observed that this method of marking out a circular 
was peculiarly liable to error, as a very slight error in running the 
lines which formed the choi-ds would amount to a considerable error 
in running one hundred and twenty chords; and it may also be re- 
marked that a very slight error in measuring the "one degree" at 
eacii cliange of direction would also lead to a considerable eiTor, 
and if all these errors should happen to be in the same direction, 
the circle would in after years, when more scientific and accurate 
!iietlio(ls had come into use, be found to be far from i1s correct 
position. 

This survey of 1701 held good until 184!l, when the Legislature 



92 CHESTER COUNTY 

of Pennsylvania passed an act authorizing the Governor to appoint 
a commissioner to act in connection with commissioners appointed 
or to be appointed by the States of Delaware and Maryland, with 
power to survey and determine the point of intersection of the 
three States and to fix some suitable mark or monument whereby 
its location would afterward be known. Under.similar laws passed 
by the States of Delaware and Maryland commissioners were ap- 
pointed by the Governors of those States, and the tJiree members 
of the commission were, on the part of Pennsylvania, Joshua P. 
Eyre; on the part of Delaware, George Read Eiddle, and on the 
pai't of Maryland, H. G. S. Key. 

At the request of this commission the Secretary of War of the 
United States detailed Col. J. D. Graham, of the Topographical 
Engineers, to make the survey. Proceeding to the northeast cor- 
ner of Maryland the commissioners and Col. Graham found the 
stone monument set up by Mason and Dixon had been remove<l, 
but that a stake was found firmly driven into tlie ground at the 
place the monument had occupied, Avhich they ascertained to be 
correct by subsequent sui-veys. After establishing this point they 
planted a new stone of cut gi*auite about seven feet long, set five 
feet into the ground, marking it with the letter "P" on the nortli 
and east sides, and Avith the letter "M" on the south and west 
sides. 

They also found that the points of tangent and intersection 
were substantially correct, though according to their measure- 
ments the twelve-mile radius Avas tAvo feet four inches short, and 
that b.y errors in the location of the tangent point and the intersec- 
tion point Mainland had obtained about one and three-fourths 
acres more than she was entitled to. New monuments Avere placed 
at the tangent point, at the intersection point, and at the meridian 
of the circle, that at the junction of the thi*ee States, or the inter- 
section point, being the most important. This Avas a triangular 
prismatic post of cut granite seven feet long, inserted into the 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 



93 



ground four- aud a half feet, and inai-ked with the letters "P," "J)"' 
and "M," according to the State indicated, and also with the date, 
1849, on the north side. 

On the 4th of May, 1889, an act was approved by the Governor 
of Pennsylvania which provided for a resurvey of this circle, aud 
under it commissioners were appointed for Pennsylvania as fol- 
lows: lion. Wayne McVeagh of Philadelphia; Eon. E. B. Moua- 
ghan of Chester County, and Mr. William H. Miller of Delaware 
County. The Delaware commissioners Avere the Hon. Thomas F. 
Bayard, J. H. Hoffecker and B. L. Lewis. 

A meeting of the joint commission was held at Philadelphia, at 
which a series of four resolutions was adopted, the first one being 
to the effect that the boundary line between the State of Dela- 
ware and the State of Pennsylvania shall be held to commence at 
the northeast corner of the State of Maryland and to extend due 
east 4,109 feet to the monument then fixed and agreed upon by 
the joint commission as the western terminus of the circular 
boundary Hue between the said States, said monument being at a 
distance of twelve English statute miles from the spire of the court- 
house in New Castle. 

In November, 1891, the joint commission appointed Daniel 
Farra surveyor for the State of Pennsylvania, and Benjamin II. 
Smith for Delaware. The commission decided that the most eco- 
nomical means of effecting its object would be to make use of the 
triangulation stations of the United States Coast and Geodetic 
Survey, and the positions Avere furnished by Prof. T. C. Mendenhall, 
superintendent of the Coast Survey, who offered to detail a compe- 
tent civil engineer, with the necessary instruments to cany on the 
work. A preliminary survey developed the fact that no single 
curve could be made to pass through all the points previously 
agreed upon, and a compound curve was therefore adopted coui- 
posed of two arcs of nearly equal lengths, the eastern arc or curve 
having its center some little distance south and east of the court- 



94 CHESTER COUNTY 

house in New Ca.stle, and the western arc havinij' its center some- 
what more distant from the court-house in the directly opposite 
direction. The preliniinai'^' survey developed the fact that a cir- 
cular arc with a twelve-mile radius from the court-house in New 
Castle as a center would fall entirely within the State of Dela- 
ware, would intersect the Delaware Eiver near the mouth of Naa- 
mau's Creek, over 3,000 feet below the point agreed upon for the 
terminal monument, and cut off nearly 5,000 acres from the State 
of Delaware; and it Avas also found that a curve from the initial 
point through the stump at the corner of Kennet Township and a 
line hickory tree near the corner of Concord would also intersect 
the river several hundred feet below the terminal point; and a 
curve from the terminal point through the Concord tree and the 
corner of Kennet would intersect the east and west line near the 
corner of Maryland, and thus transfer several hundred acres to 
Delaware from Pennsjdvania. For these reasons a compound 
curve AAas determined upon in order to leaAe the boundary line 
practically in tlie same position as it had been since 1701. 

^Vitliout attempting to present the details of the survey, 
which would at best interest only those vei'sed in the higher math- 
ematics, it will be sutiicient to say that the terminal monument 
was set uj) near tlie Delaware Kiver, December 12, 1892, and the 
initial monument on December 20, 1892. The stones along the cir- 
cular boundary line were set every half mih' and every mile, the 
mile stones being so distinguished from tlie Iialf mile stones as to 
cause no confusion. The entire lengtli of this circular boundary 
line as thus surveyed was found to be 23.3(519 miles. In this sur- 
vey the latitude and longitude of many points Avas determined with 
greater accuracy tlian had ever been done before; but only those 
of three points will be presented here, the three most important 
points on the Hue, or indirectly connected therewith. The latitude 
of the initial monument was found to be 39 degrees 43 minutes 
19.91 seconds; the longitude, 7." degrees 40 minutes 2G.70 seconds; 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 95 

the latitude of the terminal monninent was found to be 39 degrees 
48 minutes 27.92 seconds; the longitude, 75 degrees 25 minutes 
31.53 seconds; and the latitude of the northeast corner of Mary- 
land was found to be 39 degrees 43 minutes 19.91 seconds, and the 
longitude 75 degrees 47 minutes 20.03 seconds. 

In still more recent years the question of the location of the 
circular bouudary line has attracted considerable attention. A 
certain gentleman claiming to live in Delaware refused to jiiiy 
taxes to a collector for the township of London Britain, in Chester 
County, Pennsylvania, the name of the collector being Thomas E. 
Crossan. The formei*, in order to prevent the collection of the 
taxes claimed by the Chester County official, secured au injunction 
against the exercise of his official functions, which injunction was 
made perpetual by Judge Hemphill at West Chester, Januai'y 15, 
1897. The judge, in an elaborate review of the boundary line dis- 
pute, decided that the lands upon which taxes were claimed to be 
due lie in White Clay Creek Hundred, New Castle County, Dela- 
ware; that they lie "north of the circular arc of the compound 
curve, his (Mr. .Johnson's residence) being 600 feet north of it, and 
600 feet south of the traditional curve line of 1701, as established 
by evidence. His laud, therefore, having always heretofore been 
considered and treated as Avithiu the State of Delaware, and the 
proceedings of the commissioners of 1889 lacking the assent of the 
two States and of Congress, he is not liable for taxes assessed, and 
the injunction must be made perpetual." 

However, if the assent of the two States of Delaware and 
Pennsylvania should be obtained to the resolutions of the joint 
commission, and should the consent of the Congress of the United 
States also be obtained, then the said land of Mr. Johnson will 
clearly be within the limits of Pennsylvania, as his land is north 
of the compound curve, and his residence is six hundred feet north 
of that curve. 

About the year 1786 the people of the southeastern part of 



96 CHESTER COUNTY 

Chester Coiiutv thought that the county seat, at Turk's Head, was 
too Tar away, and consequently petitioned the General Assembly 
of the State to erect a new county consisting of the borough of 
Chester and the southeastern part of the county. This petition 
being regarded as just and reasonable by the General Assembly, 
that body on September 2G, 1789, authorized the division of the 
county of Chester and the erection of the new county desired. 
This new county was to be within the following limits: 

"Beginning in the middle of tlie Brandywine River where the 
same ci'osses the circular line of New Castle County, thence up the 
middle of the said river to the line dividing the lands of Elizabeth 
Chads and Caleb Brintou at or near tlie ford commonly called or 
known as Chads' Ford, and from thence, as nearly straight as may 
be so as not to split or divide plantations, to the great road leading 
from Goshen to Chester, where the Westtown line intersects or 
crosses said road, and from thence along the lines of Edgemont, 
Newtown and Radnor, so as to include these townships, to the lino 
of Montgomery County, and along the same and the Philadelphia 
County line to the River Delaware, and down the same to the circu- 
lar line aforesaid, and along the same to the place of beginning, 
to be henceforth known and called by the name of Delaware 
County." 

By this act the townships of Birmingham and Thoi'nbury were 
divided; but provision was made that the parts falling in each 
county should each constitute a separate township, each new town- 
ship retaining the name of the original township from which it was 
taken. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE INDIANS. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE INDIANS — THE LENNI LENAPE SITES OF INDIAN VILLAGES — TRIBES REP- 
RESENTED — TREATIES AND RESERVATIONS — DEEDS AND SURVEYS 

THE PENN ELM COMPLAINTS OF THE INDIANS — THEIR CUS- 
TOMS REVIEWED — LOCATION OF THEIR CAMPS — AN 

INDIAN ALARM THE CHIEFS — ACTION OF 

THE PROVINCIAL ASSEMRLV 

INDIAN HANNAH. 

"WHEN the white niau first ciiine to the eastern part of wliat 
is uow Pennsylvania lie found a numerous body of natives 
here, which he named the Delaware Indians, because they lived 
on and near the Delaware River. They, however, called them- 
selves Lenui-Lenape, by which they meant the original people. 
These Lenni-Leuape Indians were usually divided up into small 
bodies or tribes, each tribe living in some river valley or the valley 
of a creek. The Nanticokes were one of these smaller tribes, they 
at one time dwelling and for a long time lingering along the valley 
of the Brandywine. 

It has been said of them by certain historians that when the 
name Delaware was first applied to them thej^ were displeased, 
thinking it was given to them in derision; but when they were in- 
formed that it was given to them because of a gTeat white chief. 
Lord De La Ware, tliey not only became reconciled to it, but took 
it as a compliment, for they always liked to be named after dis- 
tinguished people. 

In some portions of the county they were more thickly settled 
than in others, being quite numerous along the Great Valley, and 
they were quite sparsely settled west of White Clay Creek. In 

99 
L.ofC. 



ICO CHESTER COUNTY 

other parts of the county they were quite eveuly distributed. They 
usually located their wigAvams in clusters, the numbers in each 
cluster varying- according to circumstances, and when there were 
a considerable number of them together they were called an In- 
dian town. One of these towns stood in Upper Oxford Township, 
and another near the Baptist Church, in London Britain Town- 
ship. Bome of their paths leading from point to point have since 
become public roads. One of these paths led from Pequea, Lancas- 
ter Country, to the headwaters of Chesapeake Bay, and ran along 
the ridge dividing the waters which How into the Susquehanna 
fr(;iii those whicii lluw into the Delaware. This is now known as 
the Limestone Txoad, Avhich name it has borne for a long period of 
time, having been nn'ntioned in the I'ecord.s as a public road as 
early as 1731. 

One of their villages was located near two fine springs in 
Wallace Township. When Daniel and Alexander Henderson, in 
1733, purchased their lands, they promised that the burial ground 
sliould never be disturbed, and they and their children religiously 
kept the promise, but now this burial ground is a part of a culti- 
A'ated field. It was shortly after Braddock's defeat that these In- 
dians removed to that pai*t of the State embraced in Crawford and 
Mercer Counties. 

Some time ])revious to this time the Shawnese Indians made 
a settlement in Lancaster County, and after a time spread out into 
Chester County, they having a large town near the site of the vil- 
lage of Doe Eun, and they also had a settlement in the vicinity of 
Steeleville, on Octoraro Creek. 

Among the early tribes of Indians occupying the country bor- 
dering the Delaware River was one known as the Okehockings, 
the menibers of which tribe had their lodges on the banks of Eidley 
and Crum Creeks. By a warrant of a survey dated 10th month 15, 
1702, it appears that a reservation of five hundred acres of land 
was granted this tribe near Williston, Chester County, the bounda- 



AND ITU PEOPLE. 103 

ries of which reservation are shown on the map of the early settle- 
ments of the couutj'. It is stated in the minutes of the commis- 
sioners of property, under date of 10th month 7th and 8th, 1702, 
that the Ockauickon Indians had been removed from their old hab- 
itations before the proprietor's departure, by his order, and seated 
by Caleb Pusey, Nicholas Pyle, Nathaniel Newlin and Joseph 
Baker on the tract in Chester Coiinty formerly laid out by Griffith 
Jones, but then vacant. The names of the chiefs of this tribe were 
Pokkais, Sepopauny and Mattagooppa. Following is the warrant 
of survey- issued by the commissioners of property to the surveyor 
of Chester County: 

"Whereas, Pokias, Sepopawny, Mettagooppa and others of the 
nation called Okehocking Indians, in Chester County, with their 
families, upon their removal from their late settlements near Kid- 
le^^ and Crum Creeks, have, by the proprietor's order and appoint- 
ment, been seated on another certain tract in the said county, and 
on the said Eidley Creek, near the head thereof, formerly surveyed 
to Griffith Jones, but by him left and acquitted, and now belonging 
to the Proprietary; in which place the said Indians request we 
would grant them a certain settlement, under sure metes and 
bounds, to them and their posterity, in pursuance of the proprie- 
tor's engagement in that case, made before his departure, who 
granted them, as it is creditably affinned to us, five hundred acres 
in the said place. These, therefore, are in pursuance of the said 
gi-ant, to authorize and require thee to survey and lay out to the 
said Pokhais, Sepapawney, Mattagooppa, and others of the said 
nation, called the Okehocking Indians, who were lately seated 
lower down on the said creeks, and their relations, and to no other 
whatsoever, the full quantity of five hundred acres of land in one 
square tract, in such place within the aforesaid tract as the said 
Indians shall desire; which said five hundred acres we do hereby 
grant to the said Pokhais, Sepopawney, Mattagooppa and others of 
the said nation called the Okehocking Indians, who were lately 
7 



I04 CHESTER COUNTY 

seated as aforesaid, and to their relations, and to no otlier what- 
soever; to take and to hold to them, the said Indians, for settle- 
ment, and to their posterity of the same nation of Indians (and ta 
no other) forever; jjrovided, always, that the said Indians, uor any 
of them, shall not give, grant or attempt to sell, or in any way dis- 
pose of any of tlie said five hundred acres of land hereby granted,, 
to any person whatsoever; but at such time as the said Indians 
shall quit or leave the said place, it shall be surrendered to the 
Proprietary without any further claim of the said Indians, or any 
person whatsoever, by or under them, their title of procurements; 
and make returns into the General Surveyor's office. 

"Given under our hands and the seal of the Province, at Phila- 
delphia, the 15th of the 10th month, 1702. 

"EDWARD SHIPPEN, 
"GRIFFITH OWEN, 
"THOMAS STORY, 
"JAMES LOGAN." 

"To ISAAC TAYLOR, Suiweyor of the County of Chester." 
Five hundred aci*es were therefore surveyed in the southern 
part of the present township of Williston, on the east side of Ridley 
Creek, which the Indians occupied for a number of years, leaving 
it, however, some time prior to 1737, the lands returning under the 
grant to the Proprietary. The proprietary on August 1, 1737, 
issued a warrant for the entire tract of five hundred acres aban- 
doned by the Indians to Amos and Mordecai Yarnall, who divided 
it between them, Amos taking 19G acres and allowance on the east- 
ern and southern part, and Mordecai taking the remainder, about 
276 acres and allowance. Surveys having been returned to the 
surveyor's office, patents were granted to them January 29, 1738, 
by Thomas Penn. 

The famous treaty held or made between William Penn and 
the Indians, under an elm tree no less famous than the treaty 



- AXD TTS PEOPLE. 105 

itself, was at what is now called Kensington. It was formerly 
called by the Indians Shaekamaxou, or Sacliam axing, Place of 
Kings, from Sakim, which in the Delaware language means king, 
or chief. It was held before the meeting of the assembly at Ches- 
ter, December 4, 1682. The Indian tribes represented at this 
famous meeting were the Lenui-Leuape, living near the banks of 
the Delaware; the Mingoes, a tribe which sprang from the Iro- 
quois, otherwise known as the Minguas, and settled at Conestoga, 
and the Shawnese, a southern tribe, which had removed to the Sus- 
quehanna, and which has a most interesting and tragic history. 

At this treaty Tamminel announces, through an interpreter, 
to William Penn, that the nations are ready to hear him. Penn 
then made his speech, to which an Indian chief replied. Though 
the treaty then made cannot be found, yet some historians say 
there is evidence that it was committed to wi*iting. The elm tree 
under which it was made was blown down in 1810. It was believed 
to be 283 years old, and was twenty-four feet in circumference. It 
has been made immortal in a painting by Benjamin West, a fox'mer 
resident of Chester County, whose grandfather was present at the 
making of the treaty. This was the first time Penn had met the 
Indian chiefs in council to make with them a firm league and 
friendship, which was never violated. Voltaire said of it that it 
was the only league between these nations and the Christians 
which was never sworn to and which was never broken. 

To the Iroquois William Penn was known as "Ouas," and to 
the Delawares as "Miquon," each word meaning quill or pen. How- 
ever, according to Watson, the treaty under the great elm tree was 
not a treaty for lands at all, but a treaty of friendship, merely a 
great meeting for conference and pledge, in which presents were 
exchanged and mutual civilities extended from either side to the 
other and reciprocal promises of friendship and good will sever- 
ally made. He then says that if this assumption of his be true it 
will account for the absence of any deed or written title to lands 



io6 CHESTER COUNTY 

and prove that the alleged instrument of writing had no existence 
at that time, for it wonld have been wholly unnecessary. 

Historians differ among themselves concerning many facts of 
interest regarding tlie relations of the whites with the Indians dur- 
ing the early days. One of these points of difference is in regard 
to the deeds of lands made bj- the Indians to William Penn, and 
they also occasionally differ in reference to the same deed. Some 
say that there was but one deed made by Indians to William Penn, 
but, however this may be, numerous deeds were executed by the 
Indians of lands to William Penn, the transactions being conducted 
either by Penn himself or by his agents. These deeds were often 
very indefinite as to the boundaries of the tracts sold to Penn, and 
in many cases the same tract was sold to Penn or his representa- 
tives several times by different tribes or bodies of Indians, Penn 
preferring to satisfy the claims of all who professed original 
ownership of the lands than to stand vipon the rights he had ac- 
quired by previous purchases. It is not always easy to state 
whether the land described in one of these Indian deeds was or 
was not any portion of what is now Chester County. Some of 
them evidently covered the whole or a part of this county, others 
as evidently covered lands quite distant thei'efrom, and others 
may or may not have included some portion of the county. 

The first deed to William Penn was dated July 15, 1682, ("ac- 
cording to English Accompt"), and conveyed lands east of the 
creek named in the deed, "Xeshamonyes." These lands were a 
long distance above Philadelphia, and in Bucks County. This deed 
was confirmed b}- another made August 25, 1737, and is referred 
to here because it is known in history as the famous "Walking Pur- 
chase," about which there has been considerable difference of opin- 
ion as to the real grounds of dissatisfaction on the part of the In- 
dians as to the advantage taken of them by the whites. But the 
merits of the discussion concern this history still less than does the 
purchase itself. 

The next deed was made June 23, 1683, by King Tammanens, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 107 

the original "St. Tammau}-," to all his lands between Pemmapecka 
and Neshiminehs Creeks, and is remarkable for that reason, and 
also more particularly for the terms of the purchase, viz.: "For 
the consideration of so much Avampum, so many guns, shoes, stock- 
ings, looking-glasses, blankets, and others goods as he, the said 
William Penu, shall please to give unto me." 

Three other deeds were made on the same day to the same and 
perhaps to contiguous lands by other tribes or parties of Indians, 
because they had an interest in this laud, to William Penu, and all 
upon the same terms, "For the consideration of so much wampum, 
etc., as he, the said William Penn, shall please to give us." 

The first deed for lands lying on the Schuylkill River, which 
borders Chester County, was dated June 2.3, 1683, and was made 
by Wingebone, for himself and his heirs, "of all my lands lying on 
the west side of the Schuylkill Elver, beginning from the first falls 
of the same all along upon the said river and backward of the 
same so far as my right goeth," etc., "for so much wampum and 
other things as he shall iilease to give unto me." 

The above is probably the first deed that conveyed to William 
Penn any portion of what is now Chaster County, and that it did 
convey a portion of Chester County is probable for the reason that 
a line running backward from the Schuylkill River would have to 
run only a short distance before reaching the eastern limits of the 
county. 

The next deed, made July 14, 1683, certainly covered a consid- 
erable portion of Chester County. It reads in part as follows : 

"We, Secana and Icquoquehan, Indian Shackamakers, and 
right owners of the land lying between Manaiunk, als Schuylkill, 
and Macopanackhan, als Chester Rivers, do this 14th day of the 
fifth month, in the year, according to English account, 1683, hereby 
grant and sell all our right and title in the said lands, lying be- 
tween the said rivers, beginning on the west side of Manaiunk, 
called Consohockhan, and from thence by a westerly line to the 



io8 CHESTER COUNTY 

said river Macopanackhan, unto "William Penn, proprietor and gov- 
ernor of tlie province of Pennsylvania, etc., his heirs and assigns, 
forever, for and in consideration of 150 fathoms of wampum, 14 
blankets, 68 yards duffils, 28 yards stroud waters, 15 guns, 3 great 
kettles, 15 small kettles, 16 pair of stockings, 7 pair of shoes, 6 caps, 
12 gimlets, 6 drawing knives, 15 pair of scissors, 15 combs, 5 papers 
of needles, 10 tobacco boxes, 15 tobacco tongs, 32 pounds of powder, 
3 papers of beads, 2 papers of red lead, 15 coats, 15 shirts, 15 axes, 
15 knives, 30 bars of lead, IS glasses, 15 hoes, unto us in hand paid," 
etc. 

Another deed was made on the same day for lands above the 
Schuylkill, and hence does not concern this work. The deed made 
July 30, 1685, by the Indians, Shakhoppoh, Secane, Malibore, and 
Tangoras, covered a considerable poi'tion of Chester County. It 
I'eads in part as follows: 

"We, 8hakhoi)poh, Secane, Malibor, Tangoras, Indian Saka- 
makers, and right owners of the lands lying between Macopanac- 
Icau, als Upland, now called Chester Elver or Creek, and the river 
or creek of Pemapecka, now called Dublin Creek, beginning at the 
hill called Cnnshohockiu, on the river Manaiunk, or Skoolkill, from 
thence extends in a parallel line to the said Macopanackan, als 
Chester Creek, by a southwesterly course, and from the said Cou- 
shohockin hill to the said Pemapecka, als Dublin Creek, by the said 
parallel line northeasterly, and so up along the said Pemapecka 
Creek so far as the creek extends, and so from thence northwesterly 
back into the woods, to make up two full days journey, so far as a 
man can go in two days from the said station of the said pai'allel 
line at Pemapecka, also beginning at the said parallel at Macopa- 
nackan, als Chester Creek, and so from thence up the said ci:eek as 
far as it extends; and from thence northwesterly back into the 
woods to make up tAvo full days' journey, as far as a man can go in 
two days, from the said station of the said parallel line at the said 
jMacopanackan, als Chester Creek, for and in consideration of two 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 109 

hundred fathoms of Avarapuni, 30 fathoms of duffils, 30 guns, 60 
fathoms of stra^sed waters, 30 ketth^s, 30 shirts, 20 gunbelts, 12 
])air of shoes, 30 pair of stockings, 30 pair of scissors, 30 combs, 
30 axes, 30 knives, 20 tobacco tongs, 30 bars of lead, 30 pounds of 
powder, 30 awls, 30 glasses, 30 tobacco boxes, 3 papers of beads, 
44 pounds of red lead, 30 pair of hawk's bells, 6 drawing knives, 
6 caps, 12 lioes, and do by these presents grant, bargain and sell, 
etc., all right, title and interest that we or any others shall or may 
have — hereby renouncing and disclaiming forever any claim or pre- 
tense to the premises for us, our heirs, and sucecssors, and all other 
Indians whatsoever". 

Subsequently the following letter was sent out to the above- 
named Indian kings by Thomas Holme, in reference to the proposed 
marking out of the boundaries of the tract thus purchased: 

"To my loving friends, Shakhoppah, Secaming, Maleboro, Tan- 
goras, Indian kings, and to Maskeansho, Wawarrin, Tenoughan, 
Tarrecka and Xesonliakin, Indian Sakamackers, and the rest con- 
cei-ued : 

"WJiereas, I have purchased and bought of you, the Indian 
kings and sakamackei^s, for the use of Governor William Penn, all 
your land from Pemapecka Creek, and so backward to Chesapeake 
Bay and Susquehanna River, two days' journey, that is to say so 
far as a man can go in two days, as under the hands and seals of 
you the said kings, may appear; and to the end I may have a cer- 
tain knowledge of the land backward, and that I may be enabled 
and be j^rovided against the time for running the said two days' 
journey, I do hereby appoint and authorize my loving friend, Ben- 
jamin Chambers, of Philadelphia, with a convenient number of 
men, to assist him, to mark out a westerly line from Philadelphia 
to tlie Susquehanna, that so the said line may be prepared and 
made ready for going the said two days' journey hereafter, when 
notice is given to you that said kings or some of you, at the time 
of going the said line; and I do liereby desire and require in the 



no CHESTER COUNTY 

name of our Governor Penn, that none of tou, the said kings, saka- 
mackers, or any other Indians whatsoever, that have formerly been 
concerned in the above tracts of land, do presume to offer any inter- 
ruption or hindrance of the marking of the said line, but i*ather I 
expect jour furtherance and assistance if occasion be herein; and 
that yon v^ill be kind and loving to my said friend, Benjamin Cham 
bers, and his company, for which I shall, in the Governor's behalf, 
be kind and loving to you hereafter, as occasion may require. Wit- 
ness my hand and a seal, this 7th day of the 5th month, called July, 
being the fourth year of the reign of our great King of England, 
and the eighth of our proprietan-, William Penn's government. 
A true copy of tJie original, by Jacob Taylor." 

A diagram with the above shows a ground plot of the survey, 
it going direct from Philadelphia city, to a spot on the Susque- 
hanna, about three miles above the mouth of Conestoga Eiver, near 
to a spot marked "fort demolished." 

Another sale was made October 2, 1GS5, the lands conveyed 
including a portion of Chester County. The deed referred to, so 
far as it is necessary to quote from it, reads as follows: 

"This Indenture witnesseth that Ave, Lare Packenah, Taree- 
kham, Sickais, Pettquessitt, Tewis, Essenpenaick, Petkhoy Keke- 
lappan, Feomus, Mackaloha, Melleonga, Wissa-Powey, Indian 
Sachemakers, Right owners of all the lands from Quing Quingus, 
called Duck Creek, unto Upland, called Chester Creek, all along by 
the west side of Delaware Eiver, and so between the said creeks 
backwards as far as a man can ride in two days with a horse, for 
and in consideration of these following goods to us in hand paid,"^ 
etc. 

Another deed and a very impoi'tant one was made October 
11, 173G, by eight Indian chiefs of the Onondagas, six chiefs of the 
Senecas, four of the Oneidas, two of the Tuscaroras, and three of 
the Cayugas, in order to finally settle the ownershiii to "All the 
said river Susquehanna, with the lands lying on both sides thereof to- 



AND IT.S PEOPLE. in 

extend eastward as far as the head of the branches or sprinj>s which 
inn into the said Susquehanna," to say nothing of those on the west 
side of the river, because they do not concern this history, and this 
is believed to be the last Indian deal made that in any way does con- 
cern this work. The lands thus sold may or may not have come 
within the present limits of Chester County; but they were certainly 
within the original limits, and to a considerable extent. 

With reference to the mode of life and the places in Chester 
County frequented or occupied by tlie Indians, the following exti-act 
from a paper written by Philip P. Shariiless, of AVest Chester, who 
has given much thought to the habits of a race of men now lost 
to this eastern country, and who in his eighty-ninth year is now 
living in West Chester, is here presented as being authoritative and 
concise: 

"In selecting a suitable place for his winter quarters, the 
Indian preferred a south laying land, near to a spring of good 
water, surrounded and sheltered by wood, and easily accessible to 
friendly neighbors by a common path. 

"Such was the situation where A^'est Chester now stands. On 
the south side of the town, within one or two hundred yards, ran 
the great path which left their hunting grounds on the Susque- 
hanna at Peach bottom crossed over to the rapids of the Delaware. 
Near and on both sides of it are the sites of many of their villages. 
The Susquehanna was visited early in the spring by whole tribes 
on arriving of fish from southern waters, as was common at that 
season of the year; returning to the Delaware as the season ad- 
vanced. 

"The great path, which is still visible in some places, com- 
mences, so far as I know it, and is still well marked at that point, 
in a piece of woods on lands of the late Abraham Williams, for- 
merly known as the southeast corner of the eighty acres. Passing 
nearly directly west, it enters the small woods formerly of Joshua 
Darlington, now (1888) belonging to William Smith, where it may 



112 CHESTER COUNTY 

still be traced. Continuing- west through the south side of the 
Friends' Burial Company's Grounds, thence it passes between the 
residences of Smedley and John Darlington. Continuing its west- 
erly course, it now crosses over the hill onto the land of W. T. 
Ingram, then to about fifty feet south of the gateway leading to 
the dwelling of the late Emmor Davis, crossing the Birmingham 
road north of Sconneltowu school-house, it runs through the farm 
of Paschal Hacker, thence onto the laud of William Eeid, still con- 
tinuing the same course its i-oute was iip the road on Dr. Price's 
farm in front of his greenhouses, and so on through Greorge Little's 
woods to the Brandy wine, being nearly- a straight line from where 
it enters the land of Abraham Williams, until it reaches the creek 
about one-half mile above the forks. 

"On the sides of this great highway I can locate the sites of at 
least twenty- old camping grounds that have been occupied by the 
Indians, not one of which is more than three miles from West Ches- 
ter. To find these locations they must be looked for after the 
ground lias been recently plowed or harrowed, whilst it is still free 
from vegetation, and soon after a rain. When a field is in corn or 
after it has been cut, it affords the best opportunity to ascertain 
tlie location of an Indian camp, but an amateur, when in the midsi 
of a town site, will be often disappointed, because of his impatience 
and his want of knowledge. He will look for arrow or spear points, 
when these may have all disappeared, having been gathered and 
sent away, while the s])alls under his feet, the hammer, the knife, 
or pieces of basin or other worked stone may surround without 
attracting notice. 

"A little itractice with an expert will soon enable him to over- 
come this diiticulty, if he have patience, and of this he will need a 
good store, as it may be years before grass lands may be turned 
into fallow grounds, and until this is done his labor will be in vain, 
as juost of the objects he is in search of are buried beneath the sod, 
whilst the farmer has removed those that lay on the surface and 
sent them a^^•ay to help macadamize some road. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 113 

"There are four well-marked cainpiuf!,' sites AAithin the borough 
of West Chester. The first is in the southwest part, about one hun- 
dred yards west of the Philadelphia and West Chester railroad, 
whei'e it crosses the borough line. The hill faces to the southeast, 
and the camp extends from top to foot of the same, covering about 
four acres. 

"It is located near a spring of good water. On this ground I 
have found sixty or seventy arrow and spear points, and many of 
them have been carried away bj^ others. Among those in my pos- 
session is one of black jasper, nearly perfect, made by a good work- 
man, a hammer, several knives, one-half of a banner stone, and 
those used for heating in the fire to do their cooking with, besides 
the usual amount of spalls found around an old camp. 

"The second camp is on a streami in the soutii part of the bor- 
ough, between Uarlington Street, extended, and New Street, and 
where it is proposed in the future to lay Nields Street, on the line 
between the lands of George Fitzsimmous, Albert Hall and others. 
On these lots I have picked up a broken red stone liammer, a broken 
pestle,_an axe, a few aiTow and spear points, and the usual amoimt 
of burned stone and spalls. Others ha^e found here a part of a 
stone basin, a pestle, several stone ornaments, an axe, tomahawk, 
and other implements. Most of the ornaments have ])assed into 
the collection of Charles H. Pennypacker. 

"Number three is on the same stream in the southwest corner 
of the borough, on the farm of Dr. Jacob Price, near the fine spring 
which he now uses for dairy purposes. 

"Tlie new house west of his barn is near the center of the 
camping ground. In the field I have found many reliques similar 
to those already described, and this camp, I think, must have 
exceeded either of the others in size or contained a greater number 
of inmates tlian they did. 

"James A. Ingram, a former occupant of this farm, collected 
many fine specimens here, and still retains them in his cabinet. 



114 CHESTER COUNTY 

This plot of ground is at present in grass. Between numbers two 
and three are several places that have been tempoi*arily occupied 
by the Indians, where their marks are not so distinct as in those 
named. 

"To the north of number three in a lot belonging to M. B. 
Hickman, between Wayne and Brandywine Streets, and north of 
Price, around an excellent spring, have been found many good 
arrow points; but a more thorough examination will be required 
to ascertain how they came there. If a village stood there at any 
time, it must have been a small one. 

"Number four is on the lands of Hoopes Bros. & Thomas, east 
of the old borough waterworks. It is undoubtedly the spring from 
which the savages obtained their supply of water. The center of 
their camp must have been near where the barn of the company 
now stands situated northwest of the road leading to the residence 
of William P. Marshall, and about two hundred yards northeast 
of the public park. On these gToimds was found one of the most 
perfect stone axes I have ever seen, a hammer of red sandstone, 
many arrow points and the usual chert chips that mark the site of 
a camp. These grounds have long been under cultivation, and 
most of their treasures have been caiTied away; but there remains 
sufHcieut of waste material to mark it as a favorite dwelling jjlace." 

Alfred Sharpless, brothm- of Philip P. Sharpless, in a paper 
read before the Chester County Historical Society, November 19, 
1897, mentions and describes an old Indian fort, which he says was 
located "less than half a mile above the forks of the Brandywine, 
on the west bank of the east branch'" thereof. This old fort con- 
sists of a collection of rocks "at the brow of a sharp hill about 
eighty feet above the level of the creek, and not more than one hun- 
dred and fifty feet from it at the nearest point. * * * The old fort 
is formed by two or three large rocks that project from the hill- 
side, covering a space about fifteen by twenty feet. Under these 
is a cave or space, varying in height from five feet to less than a 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 115 

foot, and extending back some twelve or fourteen feet. * * * Xd 
doubt this old fort was often a resting place and a shelter for parties 
of nomads as they passed to and fro between the Delaware and 
Susquehanna Elvers, as it could not have been far from their great 
pathway, and having convenient fording places in the vicinity. It 
may have been the site of many a sanguinary battle, of which we 
have no record, as the approach to it must always have been very 
difficult and dan-gerous to a storming part}."' 

"The only tradition in relation to the fort that we have been 
able to obtain, comes down to us through one of the old inhabitants 
of the neighborhood. He states that an alarm came one morning 
and spread rapidly around among the neighbors that a party of 
Indians on the war path were coming down the creek road and soon 
was heard what appeared to be the screaming and yelling of a large 
party of savages. The neighbors hurriedly assembled with guns 
and pitchforks at the old fort, as the best place for defense. Later 
the cause of alarm proved to have come from a farmer's ox cart 
that was coming down the valley hills making a great screeching, 
the farmer having failed to grease the axle before starting in the 
morning. This is said to have been the last Indian scare in Chester 
County." 

While the Delaware or Lenni-Lenape Indians were the only 
native occupants of the eastern part of Pennsylvania when the 
white men first settled upon it, yet there were other Indians that 
occasionally came into this region, sometimes making trouble not 
only for the Delawares but also for the whites. These were the 
confederated nations, known as the Five Nations, whose domain 
extended from Vermont to Lake Erie, and from Lake Ontario to 
the headwaters of the Delaware, Susquehanna and Alleghany 
Elvers. By the Delawares these Five Nations were called the 
Minguas or Mingoes; and by the French they were called the Iro- 
quois. They were composed of the Onoudagas, Cayugas, Oneidas, 
Senecas and Mohawks. In 1712 the Tuscaroras being expelled 



ii6 CHESTER COUNTY 

from North Carolina were adopted into the family of the Five Na- 
tions, the confederation being thereafter called the Six Nations. 

At some remote period the Lenni-Lenape Indians had been 
conquered by the Five Nations, had been reduced to a stiite of 
vassalage, had been compelled to acknowledge a condition of fealty 
to their conquerors, which enabled them to hold their lands only 
by permission, and which prevented them from engaging in war. 
This was their status among other Indian tribes. when the white 
people first visited them. And although they were the permanent 
occupiers of the soil on the shoi'es of the Delaware, they were 
frequently siibject to intrusion on the part of the Five Nations, who 
occupied portions of the country at their own pleasure. 

When, therefore, these predatory incursions were indulged 
in, there was always more or less apprehension on the part of 
the Lenni-Lenapes and the whites. The Indians with whom Penn 
made his first and most famous treaty of friendship, were the peace- 
ful Lenni-Lenapes, but in 1701 he made a treaty with the chiefs of 
the Five Nations, and with the Indians from the Susquehanna and 
the Potomac, and also with the chiefs of the Shawnese. In course 
of time the Delawares Avere able to throw off the yoke that had so 
long galled them, and at a treaty of 1756 their great chief, Tedyus- 
cung, compelled the chiefs of the Six Nations to acknowledge their 
independence. 

The Indians that lived latest in Chester County were removed 
therefrom in 1757 to the valleys of the Wyoming and the Wyalus- 
ing, on the Susquehanna. At the great treaty of St. Mary's in 1S20 
there were present about twenty chiefs of the Nanticokes, one of 
whom was nearly ninety jears old. 

It is usually the great men of a tribe or nation that make its 
history. One of the great chiefs of the Delawares was Tedyuscung, 
who frequently visited Philadelphia and eastern Pennsylvania 
from 1750 to 1700. Another great man among them was Isaac 
Stille, who had a good education, had much good sense, was of good 



AND ITS PEOPLE. n- 

morals and was a professing CJinstiau. He had traveled all ovei.' 
the West and the Kockj^ Mountain region and had seen the "White 
Indians,"' Avho are said to liave lived in the southwestern part of 
this country. In 1771 lie moved into Buckingham County, where 
he collected together the scattered remnants of his tribe, and in 
1775 led them far away to the Wabash country, where he said they 
would be free "from war and rum." 

The Shawnese Indians came to Pennsylvania about 1698, desir- 
ing to settle among the Indians and whites of this province as 
strangers, the Conestoga Indians becoming secui'ity for their good 
behavior. They were also under the protection of the Five Nations, 
who had set Shakallamy over them as their chief. 

The Indians claimed that after they had sold all tlieir lands to 
William Penn, that is, all in Chester County, that he re-conveyed 
to them a tract one mile in width on each side of the Brandywine 
from its mouth up the west branch to its head — but that the writing 
was accidentally destroyed by the bui'ning of a cabin. In 1706 at 
the request of the white inhabitants on the Brandywine, the com- 
missioners of property purchased from the Indians their claim to 
these lauds from the mouth of the creek up to a certain rock in the 
west branch, for the consideration of £100. The rock mentioned 
was in the line of Abraham Marshall's land, and also in the line of 
the Society tract purchased by Nathaniel Newlin. 

Mr. Xewlin soon afterward began disposing of his lauds, and 
within six months had sold off about uiue parcels, varying in size 
from 150 to 300 acres. Some of these parcels were located on the 
creek. The Indians immediately complained that Newlin was sell- 
ing their lands; for they were still the owners of the land one mile 
in width on each side of the creek from the rock mentioned to the 
head of the creek. As no attention appears to have been paid to 
the claims of the Indians they carried their cause to the Provincial 
Assembly in the summer of 1725, and the account of the proceed- 
ings before the Assembly is so interesting that it is worth quoting 
entire: 



I IS CHESTER COUXTY 

"13th of 6 mo. 1725. The petition of divers inhabitants of the 
city of Philadelphia, setting forth that the Proprietai'j' having pur- 
chased of the natives all the lands within certain bounds; and that 
the proprietary did afterward release back to some of the said 
natives a certain tract of land on the Bi*andywine, which said land 
is lately talcen up and settled, to the great disturbance of said 
natives, 'and praying that this House would take the same into 
consideration; was read and ordered to be considered this after- 
noon. 

"Then this House was given to understand that the Heads of 
the said Indian complainants desire to attend the House in person, 
to set forth their grievances. Ordered, that they wait on the House 
at three o'clock this afternoon with their interpreters. 

"3 p. m., the House met. 

"The Indians ordered to attend this afternoon, waited at the 
door desiring to be heard. Then chairs were placed for them, they 
were called in, and the Speaker, on behalf of the House, said: 'The 
House has had information that you have been with the Governor 
and Commissioners already. Have you received satisfaction?" 

"Indians (by interpreter) — 'We have not.' 

"Speaker — 'What it is, then, that you have to offer to the 
House?' 

"Indians — 'When William Penn came to this country, he set- 
tled a iierpetual friendship with us, and after we sold him our 
country, he re-conveyed back a certain tract of land upon the 
Brandywine, for a mile on each side of said creek, which writing 
was, by the burning of a cabin, desti'oyed; but we all remember 
very well the contents thereof: That AVilliam Penn promised that 
we should not be molested whilst one Indian lived, grew old, and 
blind and died, — so another, to the third generation; and now it is 
not half the age of an old man since, and we are molested, and our 
lands surveyed out and settled before we can reap our coi*n off; 
and to our great injury, Brandywine Creek is so obstructed with 



AND i7VS' PEOPLE. 121 

dams, that the fish cannot come np to our habitations. We desire 
you to take notice that we are a poor people, and want the benefit 
of the fish, for when we are out hunting, our children with their 
bows and arrows, used to get fish for their sustenance, therefore, we 
desire that those dams be removed, that the fish may have their 
natural course.' 

"Speaker — 'How did you understand that writing to be? That 
you should enjoy that land forever?' 

"Indians — 'Not only we, but all the Indians understood it to be 
theirs as long as the waters ran down the creek.' 

"Speaker — 'Have you anything more to say?' 

"Indians — -'No; but if you hear us not we shall be obliged to 
come again next spring.' 

"Speaker — 'The House is inclined to do you all the favor that 
lies in their power.' 

"Indians — 'We hope we are all friends, and desire to continue 
so, as long as we draw breath.' 

"Then the Indians withdrew, and after some debate it was 
ordered that Francis Kawle, John Kearsley, and John Swift, go to 
James Logan, one of the commissioners of property, and inform him 
of the substance of said petition, and matter complained of by the 
Indians; who being returned report that the said commissioner 
shows a very hearty inclination to accommodate the affair with the 
Indians, and although their right does not appear so clear, yet they 
ai-e possessed of such strong notions of it, that there is no divesting 
them of it; and, therefore, he is ready to do what he can to quiet 
their complaints, by granting the person who possesses the said 
lands other lands in the stead thereof. 

"Ordered that Francis Kawle and John Kearsley draw up an 
address to the Governor, on behalf of the Indians. Adjourned. 

"6th mo. 14th day, 1725. The House met, etc. 

"Then the members appointed yesterday in the afternoon, to 
draw up an address to the Governor, on behalf of the Indians, 
8 



122 CHESTER COUNTY 

brought in the same, which was read aud agreed to. Ordered, 
That the same be transcribed, and tlien the House adjourned to 
two, p. m. 

"Two o'cloclv, p. in. The House met, etc. 

"The address to the Governor, on behalf of the Indians, accord- 
ing to order, being transcribed, is as follows, viz.: 'The Address of 
the Eepresentatives of the said Province, in General Assembly met: 
May it please the Governor, as next to Divine Providence, the 
peace, happiness, and quietness which this Pi'ovince first enjoyed, 
was owing to the wise conduct of the Hon. William Penn, our 
Proprietary and Governor, by procuring a good friendship betwixt 
him and the native Indians at his first arrival here, so by diligent 
care in cultivating and preserving the like friendship, the great 
happiness of peace hath been hitherto enjoyed among us, when 
divers of the neighboring colonies have been obnoxious to the in- 
sults of the barbarous Indians, to the great damage of their coun- 
tries; and as the Governor's care and indefatigable pains upon all 
occasions, has been very conspicuous to that good end, this House 
do address themselves on an unhappy dissatisfaction some Indians 
are under (who have always lived very peaceable with the inhabi- 
tants of tills province) fi'om an opinion that they are likely to be 
dispossessed of some lauds they had long enjoyed on the river 
Brandywine, as also for being depri'\ed of the benefit of fishing 
on tlie said river; all which they have by personal complaint 
laid before this House. And the House having taken into serious 
consideration the fatal consequences it may be to the peace of 
this Province, represented the same to James Logan, one of the 
Commissioners of Property, who has given the Hoiise ample satis- 
faction of his intentions to accommodate the difference with the 
said Indians. And we are fully satisfied (were it not for a purchase 
made of some part of these lands by Nathaniel Newlin, and his 
too wilful resolution to hold and settle the same), this part of 
this difference relating to the pretended encroachments on their 



AKD ITS PEOPLE. 123 

lands would be immediately silenced. And notwithstanding this 
obstacle, we have reason to believe that Nathaniel Newlin will, in a 
very short time, become sensible that it will be as much to his o^\u 
private interest as to the Province in general, to be more conde- 
scending in this affair. 

" 'But, whereas there are dams or wares which do obstruct the 
passage up of fish to the place where the said Indians are settled, 
without the verge of this government, this House doth humbly 
request the Governor, that he will be pleased to exert his authority, 
in such manner as he shall think propel", for quieting and satisfying 
the said Indians, and preserving the ancient friendship between 
them and the inhabitants of this Province; and herein we also have 
that confidence as to hope that the Government of New Castle, 
Kent and Sussex, will so far think it conducive to their peace and 
quiet, that they will not fail to do what is necessary on their part, 
for the full settling and composing this dissatisfaction. 

" 'August 14, 1725. Signed by the order of the House. 

" 'WILLIAM BILES, Speaker.' 

"Ordered, That Thomas Chandler and Elisha Gatchell present 
the same to the Governor; who return and report that they had 
delivered the said address according to order, and that the Gov- 
ernor perused the same, and said he was entirely of the opinion 
of the House, and that he and bis Council would use their utmost 
endeavors to satisfy these Indians, and that he was going down 
to New Castle, where he would order the persons concerned to move 
those dams complained of, wliich, if they did not do, he would give 
orders to the King's attorney, to prosecute them, and oblige them 
thereunto by process of law.'' 

The claims of the Indians not being adjusted to their satisfac- 
tion they again sought an interview in the spring of 1726, and the 
following proceedings were had : 

"3d month 31st, 172G. The House met, etc. 

"The Indians (who claim certain rights on Brandywine Creek) 



124 CHESTER COUNTY 

came to wait upon the House, and by a member sent in a paper they 
received from James Logan, and likewise a message that they were 
not satisfied therewith, and thei'efore made further application to 
this House for redress, which paper being read, the House went 
into a debate thereon, and after some time referred the further con- 
sideration thereof until to-morrow, and th^^^n the House adjourned 
until to-morroAV morning at nine o'clock. 

"J:th month Ist, 1720, 9 a. m. The House met, etc. 

"The House proceeded further on the consideration of the 
affair relative to the Indians. 

"Ordered, That Evan Owen go to the commissioners of property 
and desire some of them to attend, in order to infonn the House 
what progress hath been made with Nathaniel Newlin toward an 
accommodation; who returned and reported that he spoke with 
James Logan, one of the commissioners of property, according to 
order, and that he was ready to attend the House in order to 
acquaint them with what had been done in that affair; who, being- 
called in, i^roduced an Indian deed, dated 1685, signed by thirteen 
Indian kings, which conveys all the lands from Duck Creek to Up- 
land Creek, alias Chester Creek, and as far back as a man could 
ride on horseback in two days, and says he finds no footsteps of 
any re-conveyance, neither in the land office nor upon record, bui 
that in 1705 the Indians laid claim to all the lands from the moutli 
of Brandywine up the west branch to the head, in breadth a mile 
on each side of that branch; and afterward the commissioners of 
property purchased of the Indians all tlie lands from the mouth of 
Brandywine Creek up to a certain rock by Abraham Marshall's 
land for the sum of one hundred pounds, seventy -three pounds and 
eight shillings of which was then paid to their chiefs, and the 
remainder they paid yesterday, and the chiefs of the Indians signed 
a release, but said they wanted some iastrument given to them 
that they might know what was theirs and be secure in it. But 
the commissioners told them it was not at this time in their power 



AXD IT^ PEOPLE. 125 

to make them any grant of the said lands, but that they should 
not be disturbed in their quiet possession thereof, neither by 
Nathaniel Newlin, nor by any other person. That the commis- 
sioners had told Nathaniel Newlin that it was in vain for him to 
pretend to that land, let the disappointment be what it would, so 
long as the Indians laid claim to the same and would continue upon 
it; tJiat after the Indians came up last year and made the complaint, 
and a re-conveyance was generally reported to have been given to 
the Indians, he went down to Chester and took certificates of all 
those who were reported to have seen and knoAvn of such a writing; 
Avliich certificates being produced and read in the House, none of 
which did amount to any certainty as to what that writing did 
contain; but since the Indians had an iraiierfect idea of it, and a 
strong resolution to hold it, the commissioners used such means as 
they thought most likely to satisfy them and continue them in the 
quiet possession of their claims, and for that end said they had 
agreed and accommodated the matter with Nathaniel Newlin as 
far as was in their power to do at present, and then withdrew. 

"Then the House, after some debate, Avas of the opinion that 
Nathaniel Newlin be sent for to give some further assurance that 
what is done by the paper delivered yesterday, that he will not mo- 
lest the said Indians in their claims. 

"Ordered, That John Wright send a letter that the House re- 
quire his attendance to-morrow morning, and then the House ad- 
journed till 3 p. m. 

"4t]i mo., 2d. — Tiie House met, etc., adjourned to 3 p. m. 

"3 p. m. — The House met, Nathaniel Newlin not attend- 
ing, according to the expectation of the House, after some debate 
a motion was made and the question put that if Nathaniel Newliu 
come not to toAvn tliis evening he be sent for by the sergeant-at- 
arms, and that an order be forthwith issued under the Speaker's 
hand, and the sergeant be dispatched therewith this evening. Car- 
ried in the attirmative. Adjourned till 9 a. m. 



126 CHESTER COUNTY 

"4th mo., 3d, 9 a. m.— The House met. The sergeant-at-arms 
reports that Nathaniel Newlin came to town last evening and will 
attend the House this morning. 

"The House being informed that Nathaniel Newlin attended, 
he was called in, and said that he expected the value, and not the 
quantity only of land, in lieu of that the Indians claimed of his; 
and that he was to meet the commissioners of property this after- 
noon, and then doubted not that they should settle that affair to 
the satisfaction of the House, and withdrew, and then the House 
adjourned till 3 o'clock this afternoon. 

"3 p. m. — The House met, etc. Nathaniel Newlin attended, 
and being called in delivered on the table a paper subscribed with 
his hand, doth declare and promise that neither he nor his heirs 
will, by any means, disturb or molest the Indians in their posses- 
sions or claims. Then, after some debate thereon, it was 

"Kesolved, That the Indians be sent for and the contents of 
the said paper be explained to them and inquiry made whether it 
be satisfactory to them. 

"Ordered, That John Wright and Samuel Ilolliugsworth ac- 
quaint them thereof, that they may attend forthwith; who return 
and report that they have been with the Indians, and that they are 
now attending with their interpreters, who, being called in, the said 
pai^er was explained to them by their interpreters, and they de- 
clai'ed that they were well satisfied therewith, and they desired 
that the said paper might remain among the records of this House 
and a copy thex'eof be given to them. 

"Ordered, That a copy be made out accordingh^ and delivered 
to them, and the original lodged in the House, which was done ac- 
cording]}'. 

"And the Indians further said that they had been very much 
disturbed in their minds, but that now they Avere perfectly easy, 
since they found that this House would stand by them and see 
them righted. 



AND IT^ PEOPLE. 127 

"Then Nathaniel Xewliu was called in and acknowledged the 
said writing to them; so they shook hands together and parted 
fnllv reconciled, and then the House adjourned." 

From this time on until 1729 peace appears to have hovered 
over the Brandy wine; but in the latter year difficulties broke out 
again, and the Indian chief, Checochinican, under date of June 2i, 
wrote to Patrick Gordon, Governor of Pennsylvania at that time, 
the following letter: 

June 24, 1729. 
Honoured Governeur: 

It is with regret of mind that I take this opportunity of laying 
our great grievances before your consideration, hoping that you 
will be pleased to take care and protect us from any wrongs and 
injuries done me and our people, whom in the behalf of I now 
w^rite. In time past we sold our interest to William Penn (our 
brother); he was pleased to grant us a wrighting for the creek of 
Brandy wine, up to the head thereof, which said wrighting by some 
accident was lost, with all the land a mile wide of the creek on each 
side, which afterward we disposed of so far up as to a certain 
known i-ock in the said creek, it being in the line of the land be- 
longing to one Abraham Marshall, and of late to the great preju- 
dice and disquiet of us, a people that has done and still desires to 
do, to continue in peace and love and be as one heart and soul with 
William Penn and his people, the land has been unjustly sold, 
whereby we are reduced to great wants and hardships, notwith- 
standing in the year 1726 application was made to the assembly 
for relief in that case, and a wrighting was given by Nathaniel 
Newlin that neither the said Nathaniel Newlin, to whom some of 
the land was sold, nor his heirs Avould anyways disturb or molest 
us in the free and peaceable enjoyment thereof, but contrary to the 
same it has been sold, and greatly disquieted us; nay, we have been 
so much interrupted that we have been forbid so much as to make 
use of timber growing thereon for the convenience of building some 



128 CHESTER CnrXTY 

cabins, and further, that the town at the head of Brandywiue is 
surveyed to one James Gibbons and many more, aud now has an as- 
sui'ance of a conveyance of the same from the commissioners "of 
property, as he himself says, by James Steel, the which grievances 
we here take freedom to laj' before your consideration, hoping that 
nothing will be wanting more now to cultivate and preserve a good 
and lasting friendship between us aud the descendants of our 
bi"other, William Penn, who had shown their love and care so par- 
ticularly to us as to give it so principally in charge, and as nothing- 
has yet appeared to give us the least umbridge that our cases as 
before represented will b(» always neglected. We take freedom to 
lay it before your further consideration, aud subscribe myself your 
sincere friend and brother. 

N. B. — James Logan promised to me that James Gibbons nor 
anybody else should never have a confirmation thereof, nor any 
other person withiu our claim." 

Nathaniel Newlin, who seems to have given the ludians so 
much trouble on the Brandywine, died in 1729. The settlement of 
the lands weut ou without apparent interruption by or from the- 
comjjlaints of the Indians, and they not many years afterward re- 
moved from the county, when all difficulty growiug out of their 
claims came to an end. The location of the town "surveyed out 
to James Gibbons," mentioned in the letter, just quoted, is believed 
to have been about where the "ludiautown Schoolhouse" stands in 
Wallace Township. 

The last of the Lenni-Leuai)e Indians of Chester Count}- died in 
1802, in the person of Indian Hannah. She had her wigwam for 
many years upon the Brandywine, and was accustomed to travel 
about a good deal, selling baskets, etc. On such occasions she was 
often followed by her dog and pigs, aud at the time of her death 
was nearly one hundred years old. She possessed a proud aud lofty 
spirit to the last, hated black people aud scarcely brooked the loAver 
class of whites. She often spoke emphatically of the wrongs of her 



AXn irs PEOPLE. 129 

race, and feelingly of their misfortimes, and bestowed her aifections 
on them to the last days of her life. A certain individual, visiting 
her cabin on the farm of Humphre.y Marshall, thus expressed his 
emotion upon seeing where she had lived in her later years: 

"Was this the spot where Indian Hannah 
Was seen to linger, weary, Avorn with care? 

Yes — that mute cave was once the happy home 
Of Hannah, last of her devoted race; 

But she, too, now has sunk into the tomb. 

The briars and thistles wave above the xjlace." 

Her family consisted of Andrew, Sarah, Jimmy and herself, 
and she was the "Last of the Lenape." As she grew old she left 
her wigwam and lived with those who were friendly to her, and at 
length, on the opening of the pooi'-ho\ise of Chester County, she be- 
came an inmate of that institution, the only representative of New- 
lin Township, and there she died March 20, 1S02. 



CHAPTER 111. 

GEOLOGY. 



CHAPTEK III. 

GEOLOGY ROCKS OF THE COUNTY CLASSIFIED CHARACTERISTICS OF THE 

VARIOUS REGIONS THE DIP OF THE STRATA ECONOMIC ROCKS FOS- 
SIL PLANTS AND ANIMALS THE FIVE GEOLOGIC REGIONS 

THEIR FEATURES DESCRIBED THEORIES OF THE 

GEOLOGISTS — MINERALS — ORES LEAD 

COPPER ZINC ROCKS — A DESCRIP- 
TION OF ALL SCALE 

OF HARDNESS. 

IN this work there is uo attempt made to treat of the geology 
of Chester County in an exhaustive manner. Such a thing could 
not be done for want of space, and, besides, it is only the profes- 
sional geologist that can do such a work in a creditable and sat- 
isfactory manner. All, therefore, that will be attempted is to 
summarize the leading facts and features of this interesting topic 
in such a manner as may lead those who may read this chapter, and 
who have not given much thought to the geology of their county, 
to turn their attention in that direction and thus become more par- 
ticularly informed. 

Chester County lies principally withiu what is known as the 
Atlantic slope district, which lies between the tide waters of the 
Delaware River and the Susquehauna Kiver and the southeast base 
of the range of hills known as South Mountain. All of this county 
which lies south of the valley, comprising more than half of its 
area, is composed of rocks belonging to the primary stratified 
group. These rocks consist chiefly of gneiss, but there is a belt of 
mica and talc-slate conueoted with the limestone of the valley, 
which belt bounds the gneiss on the north and west. 



134 CHESTER COUNTY 

This limestone vallej^ is the most I'emarkable feature of the 
geology of the county, and as it divides the county into two al- 
most equal portions, it will first be treated. It is a perfectly 
straight valley, running nearly east and west through the 
county, but is inclined slightly toward the northeast and south- 
west, the divergence being about IS degrees. This valley is two 
miles wide at the Schuylkill River, on the Montgomery County 
line, which width it practically maintains toward the westward 
about half across the county, and then tapers to about one mile 
in width at the Lancaster County line. This valley separates 
the northern from the southern townships. The sti'ata which 
occupy this Chester County, or Downingtown Valley, are what 
some geologists have named the Siluro-Oambrian Limestones, 
and they dip generally from 30 degrees to 50 degrees southward; 
but small anticlinal rolls run diagonally across their general 
strike, and the white marble strata, which are confined to the 
southern edge of the valley, stand almost perfectly vertical. 
There are other areas of this limestone, lying mainly to the south 
of this principal valley, in West Marlborough and London Grove 
Townships. 

The North Valley Hill is made by the Potsdam sandstone, 
No. 1, rising northward from beneath the lowest limestones and 
spi'eading in sheets and patches over a considerable gneiss re- 
gion, embracing Honeybrook, East and West Nantmeal, West 
Vincent, East and West Pikeland, Charlestown, Upper Uwchlan, 
East and West Brandywine, and parts of West Cain and Sands- 
bury Townships; and it is plain that the fundamental gneiss area 
now exposed was formerly entirely covered hy the Potsdam 
quartzite and the overljdng limestone. 

The South Valley Hill, on the contrary, is the edge of a low 
tableland, composed (1) of a belt of magnesian-mica slate; also 
vertical or dipping at the liighest angle southwai'd, apparently in 
contact and conformity with and over the marble beds of the south 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 135 

edge of the valley, but possibly overturned and beneath the mar- 
ble, in which latter case tJie valley is a synclinal trough, and the 
slates south of it are equivalent to the quartzite north of it, or else 
a fault runs along the south edge of the valley. The belt of South 
Valley Hill slate is only two miles wide at the Schuylkill end, 
widens westward to tJiree miles at West Chester, four and a half 
miles at the Avest branch of the Brandywine, and then spreads over 
East and ^'\'est Fallowtield, Highland, Londonderry, Upper and 
Lower Oxford, and East and West Nottingham Townships inta 
Lancaster County. (2) A belt of older and newer gneisses and 
mica-schists occupy all the townships to the south and east. 
Slight areas of limestone, however, occur in this belt near West 
Chester, Doe IJun, Keunett Square, Avondale, Landenburg, etc.; 
and Potsdam quartzite seems to be observed around London Grove 
and at points on the Delaware State line. A long range of ser- 
pentine sepai'ates the two belts in East Goshen and Willistown 
Townships, and another still more extensive serpentine belt 
ranges along the Maryland line into Lancaster County and car- 
ries deposits of chrome iron sand. A trap dyke enters from Dela- 
ware County at tlie soutli edge of the slate belt, and extensive out- 
spreads of trap boulders occur along the Berks County boundary 
in the north, other local exposures of trap being numerous in vari- 
ous parts of tiie county. Between the Schuylkill River and French 
Creek the counti^ is wholly of mesozoic foi'mations, sandstone 
and shale, and in the tunnel at Phoenixville through these rocks a 
large collection of fossil plants and reptiles was made by Dr. C. iL 
"\'\'heatley. Cop])er, lead and zinc veins have long been mined 
to a small extent along the contact line of the mesozoic and gneissie 
rocks. The large magnetic iron mines of Warwick connect 
witli both trap and new red sandstone rocks, but really belonging 
to th" underlying azoic lioor, are still worked. vSmall quantities 
of brown liematite ore have also been obtained from the valley 
limestones. The wliite marble (juarries are numerous, but are 
none of them large. 



136 CHESTER COUNTY 

Tlie above is a brief summary of tlie geology of the county by 
Prof. J. P. Lesley, who, together with Dr. Persifor Frazer, is the 
best authority on this subject. They must both be consulted by 
any on • who would become tolerably familiar with the scientific 
and useful features of the geology of the county without them- 
selves making original iuvestigations. 

For purposes of convenience of description and a clearer un- 
derstanding of this important subject it is customary to divide the 
county into five sections, as follows: 

1. The Southern Gneiss region. 

2. The Mica-slate region. 

o. The Downingtown Valley region. 

4. The Js^orthern Gneiss region. 

5. The New Ked Sandstone region. 

The Southern Gueiss region has a general elevation above the 
level of the sea of about 400 feet, below which general elevation 
its streams have cut many valleys and ravines to a depth of from 
100 to 200 feet, which valleys and ravines are often bounded by 
steep and rocky slopes. The northern boundary of this southern 
gneiss region is a line nearly straight, extending east-northeast 
and passing by West Chester. To the north of this line is a belt 
of hydro-mica-schist, and south of it spreads a country of syenite 
rocks, feldspar-porphyrj^ rocks, horneblendic gneiss, micaceous 
schists, chlorite-schists and quartzite beds. Over this region are to 
be found patches of seiiDentine and crystalline limestone, beds of 
impure limestone, pure kaolin, and often an abundance of corun- 
dum. Accoi'ding to Prof. Frazer these rocks were originally sedi- 
ments of mud, sand and gravel, their real stratification being visi- 
ble wherever they are quarried. 

"Infinitely numerous and rapid variations of constituent char- 
acter, texture, hue and ciystalline contents make the study of 
these rocks extremel.y difficult in a sti'uctural sense. There are 
no key rocks to mark geological horizons, and so large a iiortion of 



■■- -*j^'-.^~<ifTTTT„T";K.-* 




\VILLIA:\I WAYNE. 



AND ITf^ PEOPLE. 139 

the uplaud is cultivated that the exposures along all the valleys 
cauuot be traced across and identified with those of another valley 
only a few miles distant." 

Without going into a detailed description of the various geo- 
logical formations, it may be stated that Prof. H. D. Eogers divides 
this southern gneiss region, which is now passing under review, 
into three belts, as follows: 

1. A northern anticlinal, hard gneiss belt, on which West 
Chester stands. 

2. A southern monoclinal, hard gneiss belt, on which Philadel- 
phia stands 

3. The middle synclinal, soft gneiss and mica-slate belt, sep- 
arating the other two belts. 

The prevailing varieties of the northern belt of the southern 
gneiss region are as follows: 

1. Massive feldspathic gneiss, some of it micaceous, some of 
it like stratified syenite, sometimes porphyroidal, and very much 
like that at the falls of the Schuylkill. Dark, hard, hornblendic 
feldspar gneiss, thinly laminated and strongly striped when viewed 
in transverse sections. In this belt feldspar is in excess; mica is 
next in abundance, generally black and in minute scales. Horn- 
blende appears mostly in the upper beds. 

2. The southern gneisses are usually gray and bluish, finely 
laminated, metamorphosed strata of Avhite, chalky feldspar, white 
or transparent quartz, and black or dark brown mica in small 
plates. The next commonest variety is a dark-bluish gray or 
greenisli black gneiss, hornblende or quartz or a little feldspar. 
A third common variety is a light gray micaceous quartz, some 
beds so made up of minute quai'tz grains as to be whetstones. A 
fourth variety of coarser gray micaceous gneiss beds, with a pre- 
ponderance of mica in rather large flakes, and less feldspar and 
quartz, is unstratified with the other varieties, and makes a ti'ansi- 

9 



140 CHESTER COUNTY 

tion between common sjneiss and common mica-slate. The more 
micaceous the gneiss the more garnets it contains. 

3. The middle or mi( aceous belt contains four noticeable va- 
rieties of rock, as follows: 

1. Garnetifer(»us micaceous gneiss. 

2. Wavy, contorted mica schist. 

3. Horublendic gneiss beds, or hornblendic schists. 

4. "Whetstone schists. 

This fourth variety is a schistose, gi'ay, tine-grained mixture 
of granular qiiartz and minute mica scales, a kind of whetstone of 
jnany layers, breaking up into long, narrow chunks with smooth 
sides and very ragged ends, like rotten wood. 

The most important kinds of rock for economic purposes in 
this Southern Gneiss section are the serj^entine, hydro-mica slates, 
limestones, sand.st<jnes and syenites. The Laureutian syenite areas 
south of the Chester Valley are the eastern area, which is a con- 
tinuation of that found in Delaware County, and extends through 
Easttown, Willistowu and East Goshen Townships; an area at the 
junction of the two branches of the Brandywine, in East Bradford 
and Pocopson Townships; an area extending through the central 
portion of Keunett Townsliip into New Garden ToAVUsliip, south of 
the Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad and Kennett 
Square, and fourth, a small area bordering the Delaware State lino 
in the south part of Kennett Township; but there is some doubt as 
to whether this last area belongs to the Laureutian system of 
rocks. 

There are three principal areas of sandstone-quartz, as fol- 
lows: 

1. An area a short distance north of Dilworthtowu, along the 
road to Thornbury postoffice. 

2. A small area on the Baltimore Central Eaili-oad, between 
NorAvay postoffice and Kennett Square, in Kennett Township, and 

3. A larger belt extending through East Marlborough Town- 
ship into London Grove and West Marlborough Townships. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 141 . 

Lime.stones exist in so many places that it would be scarcely 
worth while to attempt to eunmerate them all. The Hydro-Mica- 
Schists belt is Avell defined fi'om the Delaware County line to Braii- 
dywine Creek. iScrpentine is found in a large number of places, 
and is of exceeding value, being used in the construction of many 
prominent public buildings in various parts of the country, among 
them the West Chester State Normal School building. 

The northern border of the gneiss region is the southern bor- 
der of the belt of Talc-Mica-Schist, or Hydro-Mica-Schist region, 
which outcrops along the southern slope and summit of the Soutli 
Valley Hill and spreads out over the southwestern townships. 
The northern edge of this region runs along the foot of the hill in 
contact with the valley limestone or marble. 

"The geological relationship of the dark mica belt to the gneiss 
region south and east of it is not understood by anyone. All that 
can be affirmed is that the Mica-Slate is of later age and overlies 
the gneiss. * * * The geological relationship of the dark Mica 
Slate to the Valley limestone is also in dispute." Both Professor 
Rogers and Professor Frazer place the mica slate formation be- 
neath the Valley Limestone formation. The former makes it the 
base of the Palaeozoic system, uncouformably resting on the Azoic 
or Hypozoic gneiss system. But the arguments in favor of these 
positions are too extensive and intricate for insertion in this work. 

The Valley Limestone region is the most striking feature of the 
geology of the county. The region itself is fifty-five miles in length, 
extending both eastward and westward beyond the limits of the 
county. Its eastern termination is at AMllow Grove, Montgomery 
County, and its Avestern end is at QuaiTyville, Lancaster County. 
It extends in almost a perfectly straight line from east to west, its 
direction being about 18 degrees north of east. Its greatest 
breadth is only two miles, east of Downingtowu, and again west of 
Willow Grove. At Coatesville it is little more than a mile wide, 
and it tapers rapidly into Lancaster County. 

Two opinions are prevalent among geologists as to the geolog- 



,142 CHESTER COUNTY 

ical features of this remarkable limestone valley. Professors Rou- 
ers and Frazer regard it as a long, straight, deep basin of limestone, 
with its northern side sloping southward at angles vailing from 
30 degrees to 60 degrees, and its sonthem side turned vertical, or 
even overturned a little, so as to make the beds on that side of tlie 
trough or basin dip from 80 degrees to 90 degrees southward. 

Mr. Hall, ou the contrary, considers it a monoclinal valley, the 
whole mass of limestone dipping southward beneath the talc-mica- 
schists of South Valley Hill. 

But there appears to be no difference of opinion as to the age 
of this deposit. Different geologists have given different names to 
this fomiation, but it is sufficient here to say that all of them agree 
in considering it the same as the Upper Cambrian limestone of 
Sedgwick, the Trenton limestone of the New York survey, the 
Lower Silurian of Murchison, and the Silui"o-Cambrian of Sterry 
Hunt. It is the Knoxville limestone of the South and the Mag- 
nesian limestone of the West. 

It overlies the Potsdam sandstone, which rises from beneath 
it to form the North Valley Hill, and also appears in anticlinal 
ridges through it east of the Schuj'lkill. Professor Frazer shows 
that this Valley limestone lies on Potsdam sandstone from the 
Schuylkill to near Coatesville; that here for a short distance thin 
mica-schist layers come in between the limestone and sandstone, 
and that west of Pomeroy and all the Avay to Quarryville, Lancaster 
County, no sandstone \inderlies the limestone, but instead the lime- 
stone rests on the feldspathic gneiss beds, gneissic mica-schists, etc. 

In closing a long, detailed description of the Valley limestone, 
very interesting and valuable, but occupying too much space for 
insertion here. Professor Eogers says: 

"If, while inspecting the geological map of the State to assist 
our conceptions, we lift aAvay in imagination the superficial depos- 
its of mesozoic red shale and sandstone concealing a part of the 
older rocks of the Atlantic slope, we shall perceive this sinking and 



A^D ITS PEOPLE. 143 

dying out of the northeastern and southwestern oroups and auti- 
clinals much more obviously. 

"It is to this fortunate abatement in amount of vertical uplift 
of the crust in the district between the Delaware and the Susque- 
hanna that Pennsvlvauia is indebted for the inestimable advantase 
above her sister States to the northeast and southwest of so re- 
markable an extension southward, or toward the tide, of her fertile 
and iron-yielding- Auroral limestone; and it is to the same cause 
that she owes her inexhaustible basins of anthracite, nearer to the 
seaport markets by very many miles than any of the other Appa- 
lachian coal fields." 

Perhaps, however, Professor Kogers would not have said "iu- 
exhaustible basins of anthracite" had he been writing at the pres- 
ent time. 

The Northern Gneiss region is fourth in order of these divi- 
sions. The northeastern boundary of this northern gneiss region 
is a gently curving line commencing at the eastern point near Val- 
ley Forge, passing Wheatley's lead mine, near Pickering Creek, 
which it crosses at Kenzie's^mill, and then passes by the little vil- 
lage of Kimberton. It tJien goes nearly straight to Coventry vil- 
lage, crosses French Creek about two miles northea.st of Kimberton, 
and follows the north side of this valley to Coventry, except for a 
short distance. 

The northwest boundary of the gneiss is traceable from the 
sources of Pine Creek southwestward along the southern base, first 
of the eastern spur of Welsh Mountain to Springfield, and thence 
along the base of the main Welsh Mountain over the Lancaster line 
north of the little village of Cambri'dge to within two miles of the 
western end of the ridge. 

The southern limit of the northern belt commences at the east 
branch of the Brandywine, and running almost due westwai'd fol- 
lows the south side of the south branch of Indian Eun, and after 
crossing the west branch of the Brandywine it extends along the 



144 CHESTER COUNTY 

south edge of the valley of Two-log Run, beyond which it crosses 
the county line about a mile and a half south of the village of Cani- 
biidge, when it turns northward, and one mile further it again 
turns westward across the Pequea and runs for three miles further 
toward the west end of Welsh Mountain to unite with the northwest 
boundary of the same area of gneiss. 

In this Northern Gneiss region there is a great deal of iron ore, 
wliicli is usually found in a deep, narrow trough, confined between 
steeply dipping beds of gneiss, or between a hill of granite on the 
one side and moderately steep southeast dipping strata of the red 
sandstone on the other, within or behind which no ore is ever found. 

Brown hematite iron ore is found in West Pikeland and West 
A^incent Townships, in the valley of Pickering Creek, and there are 
other deposits in the vicinity of Yellow Springs which have been 
developed by mining. 

The Mesozoic Red Sandstone region is the last of the live di\'i- 
sions of the county. Of this Mesozoic system it may be said in a 
general way that it embraces the great division of stratified rocks 
which lies between the Palaeozoic sj'stem on the one hand, lying 
below the Mesozoic, and the Kainozoic sjstem on the other, which 
lies above the Mesozoic. The Mesozoic formation contains the fos- 
sils which belong to the Middle Ages of geologic time. 

According to Professor Rogers this Mesozoic Red Sandstone 
region has nothing to do with the Ohl Red Sandstone of Scotland, 
but consists of sediments deposited after all the Palaeozoic forma- 
tions (including the Coal measures) had been elevated and folded 
into what are now the Apiialachian and Alleghany Mountains. 
Then an arm of the sea or ocean stretched across New Jersej', and 
through Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Lancaster, York and Adams 
Counties in Pennsylvania, into Maryland and Virginia, in which 
arm or estuary many thousands of feet of stratified mud and sands 
were deposited, which Professor Rogers named Mesozoic Red Sand- 
stone, because tliey were formed in the Middle Age of geologic time. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 145 

But it is believed by ^eologi-sts that tlie absence ol' limestone 
and sandstone along the edge of the Mesozoic rocks in Chester 
County indicates that an age of erosion elapsed after the uplift 
of the continent and before the tirst Mesozoic sediments began to 
fill this estuary. If this be correct, then during this age of erosion 
this estuary could not have been under water. And tlie first sedi- 
ments deposited in this estuary after it had become estjiblished by 
the invasion of the sea, were shore gravels or conglomerates, derived 
from the gneiss countiy on either side. Then over these con- 
glomerates there were deposited many thousand feet of fine sand 
and mud, in alternate layers, until the estuary was filled from 
shore to shore, or from the Philadeli»hia gneiss hills to the Ilead- 
iug hills, and along the south foot of the South Mountains in York 
and Adams Counties. This latter species of conglomerates does 
not anywhere appear in Chester County. 

The strange fact that these Mesozoic sand and mud deposits 
are not horizoutiil has caused a good deal of perplexity to geolo- 
gists. The dip is constant to the north-northwest, all the way up 
to within ten miles of Keadiug, from Xon'istown. The explana- 
tion coming nt-arest, perhaps, to the truth, is that Avhich assumes 
a series of faults, which repeat the stratification at intervals 
across the belt. AVhile the composition of this Mesozoic sand- 
stone is not by any means of a uniform or homeogeneous nature, 
yet it is from this material that many beautiful brown sandstone 
buildings have been erected in cities. 

Professor Frazer thus describes the boundary line of this 
Mesozoic formati(ui in Chester County: 

"Passing in a gentle meadering line generally following the 
roail from Valley Forge in Schuylkill Township to Pickering post- 
oflice in CharlestoAvn Township, for two-thirds of that distance, 
then branching to the northwestward it cuts the townshi]) of East 
Pikeland in almost equal parts by a line deviating but little froui 
straight. It cuts off the northeast eud of West Vincent Township, 



146 CHESTER COUNTY 

following up the creek dividing East and West Vincent Town- 
ships, it passes then the lower end of South Coventry Township a 
short distance to the south of Pughtown and into Warwick, where, 
having similarly skirted Knauertowu, it is prolonged in a uaiTow 
strip between the dolerite region and the mica-schists south of 
French Creek. This narrow strip does not pass the county line, 
but dies away, being cut into by the Irap and schists a very short 
distance west of St. Mary's. The boundary of the larger mass 
skirts the above-mentioned dolerite area, makes an abrupt angle 
at the point of the thin neck which projects northeast of Harmony- 
ville, incloses the latter hamlet and passes west almost to the 
county line, when it suddenly turns, being met by a mass of 
Primal, and alters its coui'se to one east of north for a couple of 
miles, turns abruptly again and passes into Berks County in a 
westwardly course." 

It may be remarked in this connection that the i>riucipal 
exhibitions of trap are for some reason pei'haps not yet known to 
geologists, confined to the areas occupied by Mesozoic rocks. "In 
the midst of the open rolling countiy of red shale and sandstone 
rise high, isolated hills of trap, the eroded outcrops of outbursts 
of igneous rocks aloug cracks which go down to great depths 
beneath the floor of older rocks to some profounder reservoir of 
lava now extinct, but similar to that which at the present time 
underspreads the western j^art of the United States, feeding active 
volcanoes and geysers, and producing earthquakes and fractures 
of the ci'ust of the earth. Ancient volcanoes and geysers do not 
seem to have existed on the Atlantic border, but outbursts of lava 
took place through and between the layers of Mesozoic strata, and 
these now constitute the trap hills of the Mesozoic region." 

Another remark is appropriate in this connection, and that 
is that the trap rocks are of insignificant size in the Gneiss region. 
This is explained by the fact that the gneiss country afforded no 
facilitv for wide fissures, while the Mesozoic strata could be lifted 



AJ^D ITS PEOPLE. 147 

like tliP lid of a box, and -would thus allow of any amount of out- 
flow. But inasmuch as some of these Mesozoic traps are fre- 
quently overflows, they nmst have occurred after lower deposit* 
had been made, and then the upper Mesozoic strata were deposited 
upon the trap, 

MINERALOCiY. 

Tt would be a difficult matter to present a better outline of the 
minerals to be found within the lists of Chester County than that 
prepared by Dr. George G. Grofl', a graduate of the West Chester 
State Normal School, first president of the Alumni Association of 
that school, later Professor of Natural Science in the same institu- 
tion, and at present Professor of Organic Science in Bucknell Uni- 
versity, Lewisburg, Pa., and which was published in Futhey i^; 
Cope's History of Chester County in 1881. That outline or list is,, 
therefore, incorporated in this work. It is as follows: 

THE MOST COMMON :\IINERALS. ORES AND KOCKS OF CHESTER. 

COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. 

MINERALS. 

Quartz. — Hardness, 7; white, red, blue, yellow; luster, glassy; 
brittle; form, six-sided crystals and massive; breaks irregularly; 
composition, silica (SiO); common in all parts of the countj-; cuts 
glass readily; infusible; the most common of all our minerals. 

Chalcedony. — Hardness, 7; all colors; luster, waxy; tough;, 
form, massive, no crystals; has a curved fractui^e; composition, 
silica; a variety of quartz, often translucent, and in beautiful 
forms; common on serijentine ban-ens, and in Warwick. 

Jasper. — Hardness, 7; red, yellow; luster, earthy; tough; form, 
massive; has a curved fracture; composition, silica and clay; a 
variety of quartz, made impure by presence of clay; common oti 
barrens. West Goshen. 

Calcite. — Hardness, 3; white, all colors; luster, glassy, pearl; 



148 CnEHTETi COUNTY 

brittle; form, cnstalfs, rhombs, prisms; cleaves iuto crystiiLs; com- 
positicm, earbouite of lime; this is limestone purified and crystal- 
lized, same as marble; common in mines and limestone quarries. 

Dolomite. — Hardness, 4; Avhite, yellow, red; luster, glassy, 
jpcai-ly; brittle, form, crystal, rhombs, massive; cleaves into crys- 
tals; composition, carbonate of lime and magnesia; calcite and 
magnesia; both effervesce in acids; common in mines and lime- 
stone south of Great Valley. 

Serpentine. — Hardness, 3-5; shade of green; luster, feeble; 
brittle; form, massive, no crystals, breaks irregularly; composition, 
silica, magnesia, water, distinguished by its green color and soft, 
grassy feel; found in liarrens in the southern and western parts 
of the county. 

Talc.^ — Hardness, 1; white, green; luster, pearly, greasy; flexi- 
ble; form, in scales and plates; splits into thin leaves; composition, 
,silica, magnesia, water, distinguished from mica by its greasy feel; 
is not so elastic as mica; common with serpentine. 

Hornblend. — Hardness, ."»-(>; brown, black; lust<-r, ])early, 
glassy; tough; form, crystals, blades, scales; cleaves in smooth 
blades; composition, silica, magnesia, iron; the dark mineral in 
our gneiss and hornblend or trap rocks; found in gneiss rocks and 
at Knauertown. 

Toui-maline. — Hardness, 7; brown, black, i-ed ; luster, glassy; 
brittk^; form, long, tliree-sided, striated crystals, breaks irregu- 
larly; composition, silica, lime, magnesia, iron; often resembles 
hornblend, but usually in long, free, radiating crystals; common 
in all the southern and western parts of the county. 

Mica. — Hardness, 2; whitish; luster, pearly; elastic; form, in 
plates and scales, splits into tliin leaves; composition, silica, potas- 
sium, al. fe.; many varieties, but all are in thin plates, elastic, and 
not greasy; common in the southern and western portions of the 
<:ounty. 

Feldspars. — Hardness, (i; white, all colors; luster, glassy, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 149 

pearly; brittle; form, usually massive; splits readily in plates; 
composition, silica, potiissium, al.; many varieties; the light-col- 
ored constituents of our gneiss rocks; found in gneiss rocks and in 
tlie south(>ru and western parts of the county. 

Asbestos.— Hardness, 1-i; white, gray, luster, dull, silky; 
tough; form, in fibers, like linen or wool; splits into fibers; compo- 
sition, silica, magnesia, lime, etc.; its fibrous nature marks it; 
common with serpentine. Its value is increasing. 

Garnet. — Hardness, 7; all colors; luster, glassy, resinous; 
brittle; form, lound crystals and dodecahedrons; breaks uneven: 
composition, silica, fe., ca. mti.; always in crj^stals, which are never 
elongated; common in gneiss or mica schist. 

Cyanite. — Hardness, 4-7; blue, green, white, yellow; luster, 
glassy, pearly; tough; form, in long, flat blades; splits readily one 
way; composition, silica, aluminum, iron, it is distinguished by its 
long-bladed crystals and bright blue colors; found in the southern 
and western parts of the county. 

Tremolite. — Hardness, (!; graA', green, w^hite; luster, glassy; 
brittle; form, massive, fibrous, spliits iiTegfularly; composition, 
silica, lime, magnesia; bladed or fibrous crystals, gray or white 
color; fimnd in southern part of the county. 

Actinolite. — Hardness, 5-0; bright green; luster glassy; brit- 
tle; form, crystals, columnar, fibrous; smooth and even; composi- 
tion, silica, magnesia, lime, iron, bladed or acicular crystals, and 
bright green or yellow colors; found in southern part of the county. 

Magnesite. — Hardness, 4-5; white, yellow; luster, glassy, dull; 
sectile; form, cn'stals, granular, massive; even, smooth; composi- 
tion, magnesia, carbonic acid; radiated crystals on serpentine; 
foams in acids; found in sei'pentine quarries. 

Apatite. — Hardness, 5; green, all colors, luster, glassy, all 
colors, brittle; form, crystals, massive; even, good; composition, 
phosphate of lime; in abundance this mineral would be vei*j' valu- 
able for its phosphoric acid; found in limestone in southern part of 
the county-. 



1 50 CHESTER COUNTY 

Graphite. — Hardness, 1; iron-black; luster, metallic; sectile; 
form, scales, massive; into scales; composition, pure carbon; soils 
"vvhite paper; is infusible; a valuable mineral, found in gneiss in 
Uwchlan, Cliarlestown, Pikeland. 

Corundum. — Hardness, S; blue, j^raj, brown; luster, glassy; 
tough; form, crystals, massive; good in crystals; composition, 
pure alumina; next to the diamond in hardness; vei*y valuable; 
found in granular albite in Xewliu. 

Epidote. — Hardness, 0-7; green, yellow; luster, glassj'; brit- 
tle; form, ci'ystals massive; even, good; composition, silica, lime, 
iron and magnesia; distinguished by its peculiar yellow green 
color; found in central parts of the country on hornblend. 

Aragonite. — Hardness, 4; white, yellow, red; luster, glassy; 
brittle; form, crystals, massive; even, good; composition, carbonate 
of lime; same as calite, but liarder; in six-sided crystals; effervesces 
in acids; found iu quarries and mines throughout the county. 

Scapolite. — Hardness, 5-0; gray, all light colors; luster, greasy, 
glassy; tough; form, ci'j'stals, massive; even in crystals; composi- 
tion, silica, alumina, lime; lieavier and more fusible than feldspars; 
with acids gelatinizes; found in New Garden, Kennett, Marlbo- 
rough. 

Jefferisite. — Hardness, 1-5; brown, yellow; luster, pearly; brit- 
tle; form, plates and scales; into thin plates; composition, silica, 
alumina, iron, magnesia and water; swells up in flame; found iu 
Westtown and Newlin, ^\•ith serpentine. Named after William W. 
Jefferis, of West Chester, Pennsylvania. 

Deweylite. — Hardness, 2-5; yellow, brown; luster, resinous; 
brittle; form, massive,, granular; into cuiwed grains; composition, 
silica, magnesia, water; known by its peculiar resinous appearance; 
found witli serpentine in West G'osheu and West Nottingham. 

Fluorite. — Hardness, 4; purple, white; luster, glassy; brittle; 
from, crystals, massive; even, regular; composition, fluoride of lime; 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 151 

commouly of a beautiful purple color, aud on limestoue or culiute, 
and found in Pho?nixville, Newliu aud Tredyffriu. 

Beryl. — Hardness, 7-8; green; luster, glassy; brittle; form, in 
hexagonal crystals and massive; breaks unevenly; composition, sil- 
ica, glucinum, altiminum; is distinguished by its color aud its 
hexagonal crystals; found in Xewlin, East Nottingham and West- 
town. 

Staurolite. — Hardness, 7-8; brown, black; luster, glassy; brit- 
tle; form, in ciystals, which are never slender; uneven; composition, 
silica, lime, alumintim, iron; named from crystals which are often 
cross-shaped, but never slender; found in West Bradford, West 
Goshen and West Marlborough. 

Zoisite. — Hardness, 6-7; green, gray; luster, glassy; pearly; 
brittle; form, long, fluted crystals; splits smoothly; composition, 
silica, iron, lime, aluminum; green color and crystals fluted, longi- 
tudinally marked; found on hornblend rocks near West Chester 
and Kennett. 

Ziricon. — Hardness, 7-8; all colors except black; luster, ada- 
mantine; brittle; form, crystals and grains; curved fracture; com- 
position, silica and zirconia; hyacinthe, a variety of zoisite; found 
in South Coventry, West Pikelaud, East Bradford, and Unionville. 

Kaolin. — Hardness, 1; white; luster, dull; sectile; form, mas- 
sive; even, earthy; composition, silica, alumium, water; formed by 
the decomposition of gneiss and feldspar; valuable; found in New- 
lin, East Nottingham, and Kennett. 

Margarite. — Hardness, 4-5; white, gray; luster, pearly; sectile; 
form, plates, scales; splits into thin scales; composition, silica, 
aluminum, iron; a micaceous-like mineral, pearlj' luster implanted 
on corundum; found in Newlin with corundum. 

Chesterlite. — Hardness, 5-G; white, yellowish; luster, glassy; 
pearly; brittle; form, crystals, very jjerfect; even, good; composi- 
tion, aluminum, silica; named from Chester County, aud found in 
poorhouse quarry and Baily's, East Marlborough. 



1 52 CHESTER COUNTY 

ORES. 

Pyrites. — Hardness, 6-7; pale brass yellow; sti'eak, black, brit- 
tle; form, iu cubes, tnstals, massive; breaks irregularly; compo- 
sition, iron and sulphur; yellow color and striking fire with knife 
distinguish it; found in most parts of the county. 

Limouite. — Hardness, 2-(); brown, yellow; streak, yellow, yel- 
lowish-brown; brittle; form, massive, columnar; fracture curved; 
composition, iron, oxygen, water; marked by a brown or yellow- 
color and yellow streak; this is the common iron ore of the county. 

Hematite. — Hardness, 6-7; gray, black, red; streak, re<l; brittle; 
form, massive in scales; irregular; compositi<m, iron and oxygen; 
not common; bright, shining pieces or occasionally in scales; found 
in Wan\ick, Phunixville and East Brandj'wine. 

Magnetite. — Hardness, 5-6; iron-black; streak, black; brittle; 
form, octahedron crystals, massive; irregular; composition, iron 
and oxygen; most valuable of the iron ores, but rare; found in War- 

« 

wick, Newlin and Westtown. 

Chromite. — Hardness, 6; iron-black; streak, dark-brown; 
tougli; form, massive; irregular, uneven; composition, iron, chro- 
mium; often magnetic, on fresh edge, dull luster; found with ser- 
pentine throughout the county. 

Titanic Iron. — Hardness, 6; iron-black; streak, black to red; 
brittle; form, massive usually; uneven, irregular; composition, iron 
and titanium; often magnetic, infusible, contains rare element ti- 
tanium; found in Elk, Newlin, Westtown, Thornbury and East 
Bradford. 

LEAD. 

Galena. — Hardness, 3; lead-gray; blue; streak, gray-black; brit- 
tle; form, cubes, ma.ssive, granular; regular, smooth; composition, 
lead and sulphur, marked by softness and cubical form; found at 
the mines near Phoenixville. 

Pyromorphite. — Hardness, 4; green, brown, yellow, white; 



AND n\S PEOPLE. 155, 

streak, p-ay to white; brittle; form, colnmnar crystals; reonlar; 
fompositiou, lead and phosphorus; crystals beautiful columnar 
green; change form on heating; found at the lead mines near Pho'- 
nixville. 

Cerussite. — Hardness, 3-5; white, green, black; streak, gray 
to white; brittle; form, hexagonal ci'ystaki; goo<l and regular; com- 
position, carbonate of lead; fuses very readily; foams in acids; 
found at the lead mines near Phfenixville. 

Anglesite. — Hardness, 3; white; adamantine luster; streak, 
Avhite, brittle; form, beautiful crystals; regular; composition, sul- 
phate of lead; fuses readilj', but does not foam in acids; found in 
the lead mines near Phcenixville. 

COPPER. 

i'alcopyrite. — Hardness, 4; brass-yellow; streak, green-black; 
sectice; form, crystals, massive; uneven, irregular; composition, 
copper, iron, sulphur; resembles iron pyrites; but is much softer; 
found at the lead mines near Phoenixville. 

Malachite. — Hardness, 3-5; emerald green; streak, green; brit- 
tle; form, massive, incrusting; smooth, curved; composition, car- 
bonate of copper, colors flame-green; foams in acids, and is a valu- 
able ore; found in Wai-wick and in the mines at Phoenixville. 

Azurite. — Hardness, 4; azure-blue, streak, blue; brittle; form, 
massive; regular, uneven; composition, carbonate of copper; same 
as malachite, but blue; found in mines near Phoenixville. 

riirysocolla. — Hardness, 5; sky-blue green; streak, blue; brit- 
tle; form, massive; curved fracture; composition, copper and silica; 
forms jelly with acids; found with copper ores, and in Warwick 
and mines near Phoenixville. 

ZINC. 

Calamine. — Hardness, 4-5; white, pale-yellow; streak, gray;^ 
brittle; form, crystals, massive; regular; composition, silica, zinc^ 



1 54 CHESTER COUNTY 

water, silky tufts and small white or yellowish crystals; a valuable 
ore; found in the mines near Phoenix ville. 

Sphalterite. — Hardness, i; yellow, brown; streak, yelloAV, 
brown; brittle; form, crystals, tables, massive; into plates, smooth; 
composition, zinc and sulphur; bright, glistening appearance, waxy 
luster, a valuable ore; found at the lead mines near Phoenixville. 

Entile. — Hardness, 6-7; black, red, adamantine; streak, black- 
brown; brittle; form, crystals, massive; imperfect; compositiou, 
titanium and oxygen; brown, red color, mitred crystals; "money 
stone;" found in Sadsbury,East Bradford, New Garden, Thornbury 
and London Grove. 

Pyrolusite. — Hardness, 2; gran, iron-black; sectile; brittle; 
form, massive; uueveu; composition, manganese and oxygen; iu- 
fusible; the black oxide of manganese in chemisti-y; found in Os- 
borne's Hill, East Bradford. 

ROCKS. 

Gneiss. — A hard, tough or brittle, light or dark rock, composed 
of quartz, mica and feldspar; found in the southeast part of the 
county and north of North ^'alley hill. 

Mica Slate. — Constituents same as in Gneiss, but of a slaty 
structure, owing to great excess of mica. Found in a belt through 
the central and western part of the county. 

Talc Slate. — Same as mica slate, but mica takes the place of 
talc; soft and greasy feel; associated with mica slate. 

Serpentine. — Same as mineral serpentine, in the southern 
gneiss belt, in the southeast part of the county, in isolated deposits. 

Limestone. — Impure calcite, found in many parts of the county, 
but principally in the great limestone belt, called the Great Valley. 

Sandstone. — Small grains of quartz cemented together. A belt 
of sandstone runs the entire length of North Valley hill. 

Eed Sandstone. — A soft, shaly sandstone, colored red by the 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 157 

oxide of iron. It is found in all parts of the county north of French 
Creek. 

Hornblende Eock. — A gneiss in which mica is replaced by 
hornblende. It is dark in color, hard and tough. 

Trap. — An igneous rock of volcanic origin, dark, hard, tough, 
and consisting of feldspar and hornblende closely mixed. 

Quartz. — Same as mineral quartz, rather a rock constituent 
than a rock, as it never alone forms hills and mountains. 

Scale of Hardness. — 1. Keadily scratched by nail (Talc). 
2. Scarcely scratched by nail (Gypsum). .3. Scratched by copper 
(Calcite). 4. Harder than copper, but will not cut glass (Fluorite). 
5. Scratches glass slightly (Apatite). 6. Scarcely scratched by 
knife (Feldspar). 7. Not scratched by knife (Quartz). 8. Cannot 
be filed, and scratches 7 (Topaz). 9. Scratches 8 (Corundum). 
10. Scratches 9 (Diamond.) 



10 



CHAPTER IV. 

WELSH AND OTHER SETTLERS. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE WELSH TRACT AND THE EARLY SETTLEMENTS — A BARONY DESIRED TEXT 

OF THE WARRANT EXPLORATION OF THE TRACT — THE WELSH PURCHASES 

FIRST SETTLEMENT IN MERION TOWNSHIP SUFFERINGS OF THE 

WELSH SETTLERS — OTHER BUYERS AND SETTLERS — SURVEY OF 
THE FARMS TRANSFERS FIRST SETTLERS IN OTHER TOWN- 
SHIPS — QUIT-RENTS LETITIA's MANOR — MANY OF 

THE FIRST SETTLERS NAMED — INDENTURES. 

IT is natural and is also liigUy commendable for men to take 
pride in the achievements of their ancestors; and from the his- 
torian each i"ace, nationality and class is entitled to proper credit 
for the part it may have played in the great drama of the settle- 
ment of a new coiintiy, or in the establishment and development 
of its institutions, though it is exceedingly difficult for the human 
mind, especiall.y when necessarily working within prescribed 
limits of space and time, even it is not impossible, to accurately 
apportion to each the credit due. These remarks are intended to 
introduce a brief account of the introduction of the Welsh into 
eastern Pennsylvania by William Peuu. These early Welsh are 
certainly entitled to respectful consideration, even if their own 
claims and the claims of their descendants should not be granted 
to the full extent. Many of the eai'ly mayors of Philadelphia, 
both during Colonial times and for the first half of the' present 
centurj-, Avere either Welsh or the descendants of Cymric ancestry,^ 
and it is noteworthy that most of the distinguished physicians of 
the earlier days, and even mauy down to the present time, were 
and are of the same descent. 

For some time before they came to America William Penn 

i6i 



1 62 CHESTER COUNTY 

had. professed a friendship for the Cymric Friends, which senti- 
ment was natural, if it be true that he himself was on the 
paternal side of his family of Welsh descent. It is cei-tain that 
he offered extraordinary inducements to Welsh settlers within 
his domains in this country. A conference was held in London 
by prominent Welshmen with the proprietor of Pennsylvania, 
with regard to the terms of settlement of Welsh people on a tract-r-' Q^^ 
of laud, in the latter part of 1681, those present being as follows: . ^ _ 
Dr. Griffith Owen, Dr. Edward Jones, Dr. Thomas Wynne, Jojin 
ap Thomas, Charles Lloyd, -John ap John, Richard Davies, Ed- 
ward Pri chard and otJiers. The principal object of the Welsh 
appears to have been to establish a barony on a considerable 
tract of land in the new country, upon which they could control 
themselves, according to the ancient system of baronial govern- 
ment, which, as every student of history knows, wag in reality 
inimical to individual freedom and equal justice. But the idea 
of a Cymric barcuy within the limits of Penn's province was never 
realized, although there is no doubt that the leading Welshmen 
who settled on this Welsh tract anticipated such a government 
and thought they had good grounds for such anticipation from 
the promises of Penn. 

The mistake they made at the conference above mentioned 
was that they "allowed themselves to be persuaded by the founder 
that the powers given to him in his charter, and the general arti- 
cles of concession to all colonists, which papers were signed by 
the Welsh patentees, woiild be sufficient, with his personal prom- 
ise, to protect them, and enable them to carry out the plan they 
had in view." 

So far as known no one questions the sincerity of purpose of 
William Penn, but it was found by him utterly impracticable to 
carry out all the promises he had made to those whom he induced 
to become settlers within his province. Following is the warrant 
given in 1681 to Thomas Holmes, the surveyor-general. It is clear 
and concise and cannot be misunderstood. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 163 

"Whereas divers considerable persons among ye Welsh 
Friends have requested me yt all ye Lands Purchased of me by 
those of North Wales and South Wales, together with ye adjacent 
counties to ym, as Herefordshire, Shi'opshire and Cheshire, about 
forty thousand acres, may be layd out contiguously as one Barony, 
ailed ging that yt ye number already come, are such as will be 
capable of planting ye same much within ye proportion allowed 
by J e custom of ye country, & so not lye in large useless vacancies. 
And because I am inclined and detenniued to agree and favor ym 
with any reasonable Conveniency and priviledge: I do hereby 
charge thee and strictly require thee to lay out ye sd tract of Land 
in as uniform a manner as conveniently may be, upon ye west side 
of Skoolkill Kiver, running three miles upon ye same, and two 
miles backward, & then extend ye parallel with ye river six miles 
and to run westwardly so far as this yt sd quantity of land be 
Compleately surveyed unto you. — Given at Pennsbury, ye 13th 1st 
mo. 1684." 

As a general explanation of the method of disposing of the 
lands in this tract to the coming Welsh settlers, it may be stated 
that after they were satisfied as to their safety in proceeding with 
their arrangements for a settlement in Pennsylvania, they organ- 
ized themselves into companies of adventui-ers and selected promi- 
nent members among them as trustees, who took out a patent in 
their own names for all the land for which the company had sub- 
scribed. This was in all probability agreed upon at the London 
conference, with the approval of the proprietor, in order to carry 
out successfully the proposed plan of a bai'onial form of govern- 
ment, and it was also necessary in order to obtain a first choice of 
land. 

After the above-named warrant to the surveyor-general was 
issued, he authorized an order to one of his deputy surveyors, 
David Powell, under date of 2d mo. 4th, 1684, by which the latter 
was directed "to survev and set out unto the said purchasers the 



i64 CHESTER COUNTY 

said quantity of land, there, in manner as before expressed, and 
in metliod of townships lately appointed by the governor at five 
thousand acres to a township,"" which directions M'ere carried 
out only in part. Following is an account of the Welsh purchases 
by David Powell: ? 

"My Respected Friend, 

"James Logan: — I hold myself obliged to give thee an account 
of those lands belonging to the purchases of Thomas Lloyd where 
David Lloyd is concerned, and likewise Eichard ap Thomas: that 
is, how much is taken up and subdivided to them and sold by 
them and what remains not disposed of by the said Thomas Lloyd 
and the said Eichard Thomas. 

Acres. 

"Thomas Lloyd had a right by his brother Charles to 2,500 



took up between Mirion and Harford 1,100 

and one 100 acres he ordered in his right to Thomas 
David the which was laid out to him 100 



1,200 



He also bought of Francis Smith Eemaining 1,300 

the share Margaret Davis reserved to herself: 1,250 



2,550 
There is, I think, 100 acres of Liberty land laid out 
to him 100 

The rest is to be yet settled; and wari'ants to be 
granted for the subdividing of it within the Welsh 
tract. 
Also Eichard ap Thomas: his purchase is, 5,000 



out of which he sold to Phillip Howell 700 

and one 100 of Liberty land to Hugh Eobarts 100 



AND 7r,S' PEOPLE. i6s 

and to Robert William 300 

and I think to Edward Joanes 200 



1,300 
Remaining to him to have warrants to himself for 3,700 
As to David Lloyd part there is an imaginary sur- 
vey made about 1,800 acres, but not perfected. 
"When thou art pleased to order Avan-ants for them or any 
others of the said Welsh purchase, I think there ought to be a 
recital of the first warrant by which the land was first bounded: 
and the time of the surrey likewise commanding a return of the 
respective subdivisions within the bounds of the said tract when 
not already subdivided to any other of the company, the which 
survey was done on the 28th of the 8th mo. 1GS4, and finished 
the — day of the 11th mo. ensuing. I request thee also to put 
an end to Philliii Howell's business to ease both thyself and tlie 
rest of the commissioners of his continual importuning; and I 
think it were best to let him have that lot on Thomas Joanes' 
account, and let him pay the money to Joanes, least the warrant 
granted by the Governor to Xealson takes hold of it, and the 
Governor forced to pay the 35 pounds to Joanes out of his own 
pocket; these things I refer to thy consideration, leaving it wholly 
to thee to order it as thou think best, and desire thy favor in letting 
me have an end to my one business that my most cordial friend and 
Governor left me to do; for me else I am afraid that I shall suffer 

for want of it; who am thy real friend 

"D. POWELL. 
"Dated 5th, 12th mo., 1701." 

Following is "an account of the purchasers concerned in the 
■\V>lsh Tract granted by the general warrant by which the said 
tract was laid out, and such lands as hath been laid out by war- 
rants duly executed within the same, and first of the old Eugland 
jiurchasers: 



1 66 CHESTER COUNTY 

"Charles Llojd and Margaret Davis, 5,000 acres; Richard 
Davis, 5,000 acres; William Jenldns, 1,000; John Poy, 750; John 
Burge, 750; William Mordant, 500; William Powell, 1,250; Lewis 
David, 3,000; Mon-is Llewlin, 500; Thomas Simons, 500; John 
Bevau, 2,000; Edward Prichard, 2,500; John ap John and Thomas 
Wynu, 5,000; Edward Joanes and John Thomas, 5,000; Richard 
Davis, 1,250; Richard ap Thomas, 5,000; Mordicia Moore, in right 

of ^, 500; Jolin Millinton, 500; Henry Right, 500; Daniel 

Medlecot, 200; Thomas Ellis, 1,000; Thomas Ellis for B. Roulles, 
250; Thomas Ellis on acconnt of Humphrey Thomas, 100; David 
Powell, 1,000; John Kinsy, 200; David Meredith, 250; David 
Davis, 200; Thomas John Evan, 250; John Evans, 100; Jolin 
Jormon, 50; David Kinsy, 200; Evan Oliver, 100; Samuel Mills, 
100; Thomas Joanes, 50; David Joanes, 100; John Kinsy, 100; 
Daniel Hurry, 300; Henry Joanes, 400; John Fish, 300; John Day, 
300; Burke and Simson, 1,000; the whole complement, 50,000 
acres." 

Among the above names is that of John ap John, Avho, accord- 
ing to Thomas Allen Glenn, author of "Merion in tlie Welsli 
Tract," from which book numerous facts are taken to complete 
tliis brief outline of the Welsh in Chester County, purchased Ids 
lands September 15, 1681,. but who never came to tliis county. 
Of the lands thus purchased John ap John sold as follows to dif- 
ferent persons: To Thomas Taylor, 500 acres; to John Roberts, 
500 acres; to Treial Reider, 400 acres; to Maiy Fouk, 200 acres; 
to Richard Da vies, 250 acres; to Owen Parry, 150 acres; reserving 
for himself, 500 acres; but he rebought the 400 acres sold to 
Treial Reider, so that he had at last 900 acres reserved for him- 
self, which, however, he never saw. 

Besides John ap John and Thomas Wynne, the principal 
patentees to these lands, that is, those who bought for others in 
the capacity of trustees, were as follows: Charles Lloyd and Mar- 
garet Davis, who bought 5,000 acres; John Bevan, 2,000 acres; 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 167 

Johu Thomas and Dr. Edward Bala, 5,000; Richard ap Thomas, 
5,000; Eichai'd Davies, 5,000, aud Lewis David, 3,000. 

There was considerable land taken up by individuals on their 
own account, and outside of the 4:0,000-acre tract there were 10,000 
acres taken up by Welshmen, or so reported, previous to IGS-i. 
Some of these lands were in Goshen, and some of it as far south 
as in what is now Delaware. 

The first settlement in the township of Mei'ion was made by 
Dr. Edward Jones, Edward Reese, William ap Edward, and a fe\v 
others in the latter part of August, 16S2, a short time previous to 
the arrival of William Penn, they having come from near Bala, 
Merionethshire, Wales. The Haverford and Radnor purchasers 
came later, those in the former township coming prior to March '2, 
1683, and those in the latter township about the same time. 
As the country became more aud more settled by these Welsh 
immigrants their troubles increased, they suffeiing not only from 
the difficulties necessarily incident to the settlement of a new 
countrv', but tliey were discouraged by their failure to establish 
their barony, as they had confidently expected to do. Other set- 
tlers encroached upon their tract, as in the case of the Englisli 
immigrants, for Avhom Charles Ashcombe, a deputy surveyor', had 
laid out lauds within the limits of the 40,000 acres; but in this 
case the Welsh successfully resisted the encroachment, aud for a 
time afterward maintained intact the territory they had pur- 
chased. 

Afterward tliere arose a dispute over the Chester County line. 
On March 25, 1689, Thomas Lloyd appeared before the Council 
and said that he understood something had been moved about 
adding the Welsh Tract to the County of Chester, and also said 
that if anything of the kind were contemplated he desired to speak. 
To this Governor Blackwell replied that nothing of the kind was 
yet brought before them; but that if anything should be wherein 
it were necessarv to hear him, he should be notified thereof. 



1 68 CHESTER COUNTY 

The fact, however, was that the justices of Chester County 
had already prepared the petition for adding the townships of 
Eadnor and Haverford to Chester County, the purpose being to 
cut off from Philadelpliia County some sixty Welshmen, who, if 
left in that county, would elect jiersons to the Council who would 
oppose the poliry <if Covernor Blackwell. This petition of the 
justices was presented in tlie afternoon and came up for argument 
next day. After earnest discussion and protest on the part of the 
Welsh, the two townships were set off into Chester County; but, 
notwithstanding this, the sixty Welsh voters insisted upon voting 
for their candidate with the inhabitants of Philadelphia County, 
which caused a long debate, and resulted in an order for a new 
election. The final resiilt of the contention was that after a long 
effort to maintain their barony intact, they were obliged to suc- 
cumb to influences too powerful for them longer to resist. A per- 
sistent effort was made by many outside of the tract to break up 
the Cymric Barony, in 1090 and 1691; but it should be said that 
the Welsh appear to have departed at that particular time from a 
determination to be too grasping. They decided that they would 
not, as asked to do, pay quit-rent on the entire tract from 1681, 
though they did consent to pay the quit-rent on the entire 10,000 
aci-es. The commissioners of property thereupon resolved that 
the lauds already laid out within the tract to other purchasers 
should be confirmed to them. Not long afterward the Welsh agreed, 
or offered, rather, to pay quit-rent from 16S4, but the commis- 
sioners decided lliat it was then too late, the matter having been 
already settled. However, from this time on until about 1700 the 
Welsh continued their attempts to regain what they had lost, but 
without success, and the Welsh Barony became a barony only in 
name The three townships of Merion, Eadnor and Haverford 
continued to be kuowu as the Welsh Tract down to the Revolu- 
tionary War, and even into the present century. 

John ap Thomas was one of the prominent Welshmen that set- 



AXD /TO PEOPLE. 169 

tied ou the great T^'elsli Tract. He and Dr. Edward Joues were 
the leaders of the Meriou company, they taking out a patent for 
5,000 acres of land, one-half of that which was allotted to Thomas 
in the county of Philadelphia, and the other half in the township 
of Goshen, Chester County. John ap Thomas' portion was 1,250 
acres, 612^ acres being- in Goshen. He did not, howevei', ever 
reach America, dying in England just when he was on the point 
of departure for this country. But his wife, Catherine Roberts, as 
she was called, according to the Welsh custom, came across the 
sea with her children, after the death of her husband, and set- 
tled on his lands, some of which are to this day in the possession 
of her descendants. Besides John ap Thomas, others purchasing 
lands in Goshen were as follows: Hugh Eoberts, 67 acres; Dr. 
Edward Jones, 353 acres; Edward Jones, Jr., 158^ aci'es; Eobert 
David, 234^ acres; Eichard Eees, 75 acres; John Eoberts, 230 
acres; Eobert William, 76^ acres, and John Eoberts, 78^ acres. 
The sons of John ap Thomas, named respectively, Thomas, Eobert 
and Cadwallader Jones, owned the 612^ acres taken up by their 
father in Goshen. 

An important part of Chester County, which was a portion 
of the great Welsh Tract and was early settled by Welshmen, was 
Tredyffrin Township, which is northwest of Eadnor Township in 
Delaware County, and of Easttown Township, in Chester County. 
The name, Tredyffrin, is, of course, Welsh. It is thus divided: 
Tre, meaning town, and Dyffrin, meaning "wide, cultivated 
valley,'' and the whole meaning is, therefore, the town in a wide, 
cultivated valley. In the early days an effort was made to Angli- 
cize the word, it being then sometimes called Valleytown, or Val- 
leyton. In 1708 a deed was made in which Lewis Walker, the 
grantoi', is referred to as "of the township of Valleyton, in the 
county of Chester." 

As showing the course pursued by William Penn in the sale 
of his lands outside of the Welsh tract, the dates of several of 



I/O CHESTER COUNTY 

these sales together with the names of the parties purchasiu!^ 
lands of him, with a few other particulars, are here presented : 

Penn sold lands while in England to numerous parties still 
in England, definite amounts of land for definite prices and (juit- 
rents, but without locating these lands further than to state that 
they were within the province of Pennsylvania. As to Bartholo- 
mew Coppock, of KSaltney, in the county Palatine of Chester, Eng- 
land, March 22, 1681, five hundred acres of land for £10, the quit- 
rent being one shilling for each one hundred acres of land per 
year. This was the second purchase by B.artJiolomew Coppock of 
500 acres on the same terms, the other being on March 21, 1681. 

Penn sold to James Dicks 250 acres of land March 3, 1681, 
which James Dicks sold to Peter Dicks August 16, 1684. Other 
purchasers were as follows: llandall Vernon, March 4, 1681, 625 
acres; Thomas Vernon, March 3, 1681, 625 acres; Thomas Minshall, 
March 22, 1681, 625 acres; liobert Vemon, March 7, 1681, 625 
acres; William Taylor and others, March 3, 1681, 1,250 acres; 
Thomas Powell, March 20, 1681, 500 acres; Randall Malin, March 
7, 1681, 250 acres; John Pusey, October 11, 1681, 250 acres; Robert 
Taylor, March 3, 1682, 1,000 acres; John Sharpless, April 5, 1682, 
1,000 acres; John Hicks, October 11, 1681, 250 acres; Caleb Pusey, 
October 11, 1681, 250 acres; Daniel Smith on several different occa- 
sions bought land in various quantities, from 500 acres up to 2,000 
acres, but none of these purchasers were located fui-ther than to 
be within the province of Pennsylvania. One of the first, if not 
the first, to be described by metes and bounds, was a piirchase by 
William Hitchcock, a tract of 500 acres: "Beginning at a corner 
walnut tree of Philip Roman's land, running from thence south- 
southeast 83 perches, to a corner marked hickory; from thence east- 
north-east 100 perches; thence east-north-east by land of Nicholas 
Newlin 180 perches to a corner marked red oak; thence north- 
north-west 83 perches, to a corner marked red oak; thence west- 
south-west by land of John Harding, 480 perches to a sti'eet in the 



ASfD ITS PEOPLE. 171 

said towu; and thence west-south-west by the hind of Philip 
Koman, 480 perches, to the first-mentioned walnut tree, contiiin- 
ing and laid out for 500 acres," etc. 

On the 8th day of the 4th month, 1G97, George Willard exe- 
cuted a deed for 500 acres of land lying in Willistown Township to 
Peter Thomas, which 500 acres was one-third of 1,500 acres of 
land formerly surveyed and laid out by the order of the Governor, 
William Penu, for Thomas Brassie. This 500-acre tract was de- 
scribed in the deed as follows: 

"Beginning at a marked red oak, being the comer mark of 
Francis Yarnell's land; from thence north-north-west 1G6 perches 
to a corner post; thence east-north-east to a corner chestnut stand- 
ing by Crum Creek's side; from thence down the several courses 
thereof to a corner maple, being also the corner of Francis Yar- 
nell's land, and thence west-south-west by the said Yarnell's land 
to the mentioned red oak." It was in the present township of 
Willistown. 

Francis Yarnell had purchased five hundred acres of George 
Willai'd, a portion of the same tract, and on the 1st of October, 
1708, he sold one hundred and fifty acres of his purchase to John 
Caldwell for £60. 

On the 1st of March, 1690, John Bennett, who had been ap- 
pointed constable of Birmingham Tpwnship in 1686, sold to David 
Davis fifty acres of laud, "Beginning at a marked small hickory, 
standing in Hugh Henry's line," etc., for £10 curi-ent silver money. 
And on May 8, 1695, Edward Harris sold to John Beckiugham fifty 
acres of land adjoining Samuel Scott's land, for £5, good and lawful 
silver money. 

On the 30th of August, 1705, John Guest sold to Henry Hol-^ 
lingswor-th, who was a very prominent man in the early history 
of Chester County, one hundred acres of land for £20, the land 
being "situate on the west side of the BrandyAvine Creek, begin- 
ning at a corner black oak, being a corner of a tract purchased 



1/2 CHESTER COUNTY 

by the said Henry Hollingswortli from John Budd; thence west 
by the said Henry Hollingsworth's line 324 perches to a post stand- 
ing near a corner black oak; thence south 49 perches and a half to a 
post; thence east 324 pei'ches to a hickory; thence north 49 ^ 
perches to the place of beginning; being part of a tract of land 
held by patent from the commissioners of property.'' The land 
mentioned above as having been purchased by Mr. Holliugsworth 
of John Budd, was purchased in August, 1704, and consisted of 
one htmdred acres. 

Among the early purchasers of land in the township of West- 
town were Daniel Hoopes, wlio, in 1097, purchased 300 acres in 
the east part of the township. Aaron James and Benjamin Hick- 
man were there in 1700, and John Bowater of Middletown pur- 
chased land in this township as early as 1704. He appears to 
have died in this township abotit the beginning of the year 1705, 
for, on the 4th of March, 1705, his widow, Frances Bowater, sold 
to George Smedley four hundred acres of land for £350, the laud 
being described in the deed as follows: "Beginning at a white oak 
tree standing at the corner of Daniel Hoop, his land; from thence 
by said land north 24 west, 4()2 perches to a lyme tree; from thence 
running by the land of Eichard Snead north 66 east, 139 perches 
to a chestnut tree; from thence by land untaken up south 24 east, 
460 perches to a post; from thence extending by the lands of John 
Wilcox and Joseph Baker south 65 west, 139 perches to the first- 
mentioned white oak or place of beginning, containing in the whole 
400 acres of land." 

The Baker family was quite numerous in the early history of 
the county, and some members thereof very prominent. One of 
the Bakers, named Joseph, was a member of the general assembly 
and died in 1716. There is a full genealogy of the Baker family 
in Dr. Futhey's History of Chester County. 

Edward liees, of the township of Merion, Philadelphia County, 
sold to Ellis David, of the township of Goshen, Chester County, a 





tJ^^Z^C 




AND ITS PEOPLE. 



'/3 



tract of laud containing 3(57 acres, which is described as follows 
in the deed: "Beginning at the corner of Evan Jones & Co.'s land; 
thence north-north-west 400 perches to a corner post; thence by 
vacant land east-north-east 147 perches to a post, being a corner 
of Thomas Jones &: Co.'s land; thence by the same land south- 
sonth-east 400 perches to anotlier corner post; thence by Griffith, 
Owen's land west-sonth-west 147 perches to the place of begin- 
ning, containing 367 acres.'' 

Griffith Owen was one of the commissioners appointed by 
William Penn October 28, 1701, the others being Edward Shippen, 
Thomas Story, and James Logan, who were authorized to grant 
lands for such sums and quit-rents as they should see fit. His 
name occurs frequently in the early history of the county, and he 
was a very prominent and useful man. 

On the 24th of April, 1708, Lewis Walker sold to Llewellyn 
David two parcels of land, one containing 160 acres, the other 400 
acres, whicli are described in the deed as follows: "Beginning at a 
corner post standing by the land of John David; thence by the 
land of John Mordent, north-north-west 300 perches to another post 
set in the ground; thence east-north-east 160 perches to a third 
post standing in the line of John Havard's land; thence south- 
south-east 360 perches to the place of beginning.'' 

Lewis Walker, who, as elsewhere stated, is mentioned in this 
deed as "of the township of Valleyton, of the county of Chester," 
purchased this land of David Powell, who had purchased it of 
David Meredith, who had purchased it of the commissioners of 
property appointed by William Penn. 

The Meredith family was a numerous one in the early history 
of this county, and there is given a full genealogical history thereof 
in Dr. Futhey's History of Chester County, as also of that of 
Llewellyn David, the latter of whom was a justice of the peace and 
a prominent citizen. 

On June 5, 1719, James Johnston sold to William Carter two 
1 1 



176 CHESTER COUNTY 

hundred acres of land in New Garden Township, "Bounded east of 
lands lately owned by William Peun, Jr., northward by Marlboro 
Township, westward by John M. Cook's land, and south by Robert 
Tranter's land." 

This land had been originally purchased by Thomas Garrett 
of Evan Evans, who was a most useful citizen, not only to the 
people who were his neighbors, but also to the country during the 
Revolutionai"y War. Among the tirst settlers in this township 
were Mary Rowland, who purchased land here in 1708; Gayen 
Miller, who purchased 700 acres in 1712; and in the next year quite 
a number came into tlie township, land being bought by John 
Miller, James Lindley, John Lowden, James StaiT, Michael Light- 
foot, William Halliday, Joseph Hutton, Abraham Marshall, and 
Thomas Jackson; and in 1714 Thomas Garuett and Joseph Sharp 
came in. These persons paid for their lauds £20 per hundred 
acres. 

The next year William Peun, Jr., sold what was left of his 
lands, originally consisting of 14,500 acres in this township, pat- 
ented to him May 24, 1700, by the commissioners of property and 
bounded as follows: 

"Beginning at a hickory tree on the west side of a branch of 
White Clay Creek; thence east 925 perches to a coi'uer of Letitia's 
Manor (Kenneth); thence by the saane 2,314 perches to another 
comer; thence west-south-west 930 perches to White Clay Oreek,^ 
west 58 perches and north by land of the London company 2,674 
perches to the place of beginning." 

Previous to 1715 William Penn, Jr., had sold somewhat more 
than 5,000 acres of his lands, and in this year he sold the remainder, 
with the exception of 500 acres, to John Evans, and as a conse- 
quence this tract so sold was afterward sometimes called Col. 
Evans' Manor. The greater part of this, however, reconveyed be- 
fore the death of William Penn, Jr., which occurred in 1720, and 
who, when dying, left three children, viz.: Gulielma Maria, Sprin 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 



'// 



gett aud William. Spriugett inherited his father's lands in Penn- 
sylvania, but as he died unmarried he was succeeded by his brother 
William, to whom Col. Evans granted a release to the manor iu 
1736. 

June 9, 1696, George Willard sold to Edmund Butcher cue 
hundred acres of land in the township of Bimiingham for £4 down 
and one shilling quit-rent per year forever. Edmund Butcher ou 
May 4, 1703, sold one hundred and eleven acres to Francis Chadsey, 
in the same townshi]), for £6 Os. 

On September 20, 1718, William Penn, Jr., for £40 sold to 
James Lindley, "All that piece or parcel of land beginning at a 
corner marked hickory tree, near the corner of Thomas Garrett's 
land; thence south by vacant land ICO perches to a small white 
oak; thence east by north on the top of Tankenemou Hill 239. 
perches to a black oak; thence north by vacant land 114 perches 
to a gum tree; thence westerly by vacant land and the line of the 
said Thomas Grarrett's land 234 perches to the place of beginning, 
containing 200 acres of land, situated in Chester County." 

This land was in New Garden Township. The name of the 
hill given in this description is spelled as above in the deed. In 
1700 the surveyor stated that he crossed the Dochcanamon Hill. 
Other forms of the name are as follows: Tokenamou, Taukenamon, 
Taughlikenemon, aud that in use at the present time, Toughkena- 
nion, the meaning in the Indian language being according to tradi- 
tion, "Fire-brand Hill." In this same township there were in the 
early day, besides those already mentioned, the following: Robert 
Johnson, who owned 200 acres; Evan Evans, 500; Joseph Sharp, 
200; John Sharp, 200; Thomas Garnett, 300; William Tanner, 200; 
Benjamin Fred, 300; John Wiley, 200; Francis Hobson, 200; Gayen 
Miller, 700; Abraham Marshall, who has been mentioned above, 
owned 200 acres of land, partly in New Castle County. 

Joseph Wood sold to r)a\id Phillip for £100, "All that mes- 
suage or tenement and plantation where Richard David formerly 



178 CHESTER COUNTY 

dwelt, situated in Easttown iu the said countj- of Chester, together 
with all of a certain tract or parcel of land thereto belonging npon 
part of said Joseph's purchase, of the said 3,380 acres of laud," 
etc., "containing 200 acres." 

With reference to the above purchase, it should be said by way 
of explanation, that William Wood and William Shardlow had 
received from William Penn a grant of 5,000 acres, of which 3,380 
acres were on December 1, 1084, laid out and surveyed by Charles 
Ashton, surveyor, in the county of Chester, at the head of the 
township of Newton, and Joseph Wood, after the death of his 
father, \Villiam, on the 29th of August, 1704, obtained a writ of 
partition directed to the sheriff of the county to cut into two equal 
parts the aforesaid 3,380 acres, so that Joseph Wood and William 
Shardlow should each have 1,690 acres, and it was a part of Joseph 
Wood's 1,690 acres that he sold to David Phillip. 

Joseph Wood on September 1, 1690, sold 2.50 acres of land to 
George Simcock, who sold it to Matthew Clomison, who sold it to 
John Bently, who sold it to William Davies of Radnor, who sold 
it to John Hugh. Then John Hugh on December 2, 1705, sold this 
250 acres of land "Situated and being in Easttown, in the county 
of Chester, beginning at a corner post of the lands of William 
Shardlow, and from thence south-south-east by a line of trees 196 
perches; thence south 55 west, 202 perches to a, corner post; and 
from thence north-north-west 196 perches, and from tlience north 
55 east, 202 perches to the place of beginning." 

On the 20th of Febraary, 1706, John Guest sold to Daniel Mc- 
Farson for £60 three hundred acres of land, "The said three hun- 
dred acres lying and being in the township of Kenuett, in the 
county of Chester, beginning at a post in the line of Lwetitia Penn's 
Mannor, being a corner of Alexander Frazer's land, and thence 
east in the line of the said Frazer's land 324 perches to a post; 
thence south by vacant land 148;^ perches to a white oak; thence 
west by the land of the said John Guest 324 perches to a white 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. i79 

oak; thence north by Laetitia Penii's Mannor, 148^ perches to the 
jilace of beginning!-' 

John Guest on the 21st of November, 170(5, .sold to Alexander 
Frazer for £10 two liundred acres of bind in the same township 
of Kennett, which two lumdred acres was a part of six hundred 
and sixty-six and two-tliirds acres which he owned by virtue of a 
warrant from the commissioners of property, laid out and sur- 
veyed to him on the 25th of December, 1703, the said two hundred 
acres adjoining the "Mannor" of Laetitia Penu. 

Francis Smith was also one of the early landowners and sel- 
tUn's in this part of the county, he having been ]irobably one of 
the very first, if not the first, for laud was surveyed to him in 168G. 
I p to 1703, however, the settlement of this township had not 
made much jjrogress, the following being all, or nearly all, of 
those who had taken up land therein: Francis Smith, 110 acres; 
Henry Peirce, 190; Robert Way, 125; Thomas Hope, 310; George 
Harlan, Israel and the Chandlers, 850; and a few years later the 
surveyor, Isaac Taylor, estimated the number of acres of. laud 
Taken up at 12,100, and there were 2,000 acres in Laetitia Penn's 
Manor not surveyed. The settlers near the Brandywine about this 
time were the following: Peter Dicks, John Hope, George Har- 
lan, for whom Isaac Taylor surveyed land in 1702, and in 1703 
he surveyed for the following: Isaac Few aud William Huntley. 

The Laetitia Penn Manor nmy be as well be mentioned here 
as elsewhere. The Tract of land included within this manor was 
conveyed by William Penn to Sir John Fagg of Sussex County, 
England, in trust for his wife, GNlielma Maria Penn, the convey- 
ance beiug dated September 1 and 5, 1()82. The land, however, re- 
mained unlocated until after the death of William Penn's wife, 
Gulielma Maria, and also until after the death of all of her chil- 
dren, with the exception of two, William Penu, Jr., and Laetitia. 
On the 17th of the 12th month, 1099, a w^irrant was directed to 
Henry Ilollingsworth requiring him to lay out for these two chil- 



iSo CHESTER COVISTY 

dren a tract of land, and on the 25th of the 2d month, 1700, he 
surveyed for them 30,000 acres. This survey included all of the 
present township of Xew Garden, the larger portion of Kenuett, 
and a smaller portion of NeAV Castle County, Delaware. 

By a patent dated October 23, 1701, the eastern part of this 
large tract of land was confirmed to Laetitia Penn, and was de- 
scribed in the following language: 

"Whereas, There is a certain tract of land situated on the 
south side of Braudywine Creek in the province of Pennsylvania. 
Beginning at a bounded hickory tree standing by a branch of Red 
Clay Creek, called Burrow's Enn, being a comer tree of William 
Dickson's land, thence by a line of marked trees south and by west 
over Red Clay Creek at the fork thereof, twelve hundred and eleven 
perches to a bounded black oak standing in the line of George 
Reed's land; thence by the said line west forty -two perches to a 
bounded black oak, being a corner of said George's land; thence 
south-south-west half westerly thirty-six perches to a bounded 
hickprj^ being a comer of William Guest's land; thence by the 
said Guest's land west 112 perches to a bounded white oak, being 
a corner of Brian McDonald's land; thence north fifty perches to a 
bounded poplar; thence west forty-eight perches to a black oak; 
thence nortli-west eighty-four perches to a bounded chestnut tree; 
thence south four degrees westerlj- one hundred and ten perches 
to a bounded black oak; thence west one liundred and forty-four 
perches to a bounded black oak, being a corner of the aforesaid 
William Guest's land; thence by a line crossing Mill Creek, west- 
south-west to a bounded tree standing near Peck Creek, six hun- 
dred and seventy perches; thence north by a line dividing it from 
a large tract laid out for the use of my sou William Penn, 2,311 
perches to a bounded tree; thence east 635 pei'ches to a bouudetl 
white oak; hence south 638 perches to a bounded white oak; thence 
east-north-east 210 i^erches to a bounded red oak; thence north- 
east 420 perches to a corner jiost of George and Michael Harlan's 



AND ITS PEOPLE. i8i 

land; tbeiice by the Hue of their said land east-north-east 427 
perches to a bounded black oak; thence south one-fourth westerly 
900 perches to a bounded black oak; thence west-north-west 268 
perches to the place of beginning-, containing 15,500 acres of land, 
being one moiety (allowance being first made for lands within the 
same already taken up) of a tract of thirty thousand acres granted 
by virtue of my warrant bearing date tJie 17th of the 12th montli, 
1699, to my children, William and Laetitia Penn, in right and as 
part of 50,000 acres by me originally granted to their mother, 
Gulielma Maria Penn, to hold to her and her heirs forever; 
which said 30,000 acres being by my order divided, the afore-de- 
scribed moiety by my will and disposition becomes the lott and 
share of my said daughter, Letitia, \\'lio requesting me to confirm 
the same to her by patent. Know Ye that as well in due regard to 
the memory of my dearly beloved wife, her mother, deceased, as for 
the fatherly love and natural affection I bear to her, my said 
daughter, Letitia Penn, I have given, granted and confirmed and 
do by these presents, for mee, my heirs and successors, fully, 
freely and absolutely, give, grant, release and confirm to the said 
Letitia Penn, her heirs and assigns forever, all that the said de 
scribed tract of 15,500 acres of land, as the same is now set forth, 
bounded and limited as aforesaid, togetlier with all mines, minerals, 
quarries, swamps, cripples, woods, timber and trees, ways, water 
courses, liberties, profits, commodities and appurtenances, what- 
soever to the 15,500 acres of land, or to any part or parcel thereof, 
belonging or in an.y Avis" appertaining; together with all rents, 
issues, profits, commodities and advantages, whatsoever, from any 
part or parcel of the said land lieretofore to me, my heirs or 
successors reserved, arising or in any wise accruing; as also all full 
and free liberty to and for the said Letitia Penn, her heirs and as- 
signs, to hawk, liunt, fish and fowl, in and iipon the premises 
hereby granted, or upon any part tliereof; reserving always to 
^11 persons the fee of anj' parcel of land which has at any time 



1 82 CHESTER COUNTY 

beeu granted or confirmed to them by patents from myself or my 
commissioners of property. 

"To Have, Hold, Possess and Enjoj^ the said described tract of 
15,500 acres of land with the appurtenances and all other the 
premises, to the said Letitia Penn, her heirs and assigns forever, 
to the sole proper use and behoof of the said Letitia Penn, her 
heirs and assigns. To be holden of mee, my heirs and successors, 
proprietors of Pennsylvania, as of our manor of Eocklands in the 
said province, in free and common soccage, by fealty only for all 
services. Yielding and paying therefor to me, my heirs and suc- 
cessors, a Bever skinn, to be delivered at Philadelphia, at or upon 
the first day of the first month of every year, to such person or 
})ersons as shall be appointed to receive the same, and also three 
full and clear fifths parts of all Koyall mines, which shall from time 
to time happen to be found within the limits of the premises 
hereby granted, free from all deductions and reprisals for dig- 
ging and refining the same. And out of my own further pleas- 
ure, free will, certain knowledge, and meer motion, I have thought 
fitt to erect the herein before granted tract of land into a manor 
by the name of the Manor of Stansing, and so will have it called 
henceforth. To have and to hold a Court Baron, belonging and 
to have and to hold view of ffrank jiledge, for the conservation of 
the peace, and the better government of the tenants holding or 
hereafter to hold of the said manor, and all other persons that 
shall live within the limits thereof, by the said Letitia and 
her heirs or by her or by these stewards; and in the same to use ail 
things that to the view of ffrank pledge do belong. In witness 
whereof I have caused these letters to be made patents." 

This document was signed b}^ William Penn in Philadelphia, 
This manor, named Stansing in the above description, was really 
the Manor of Stenning, though in the records it is sometimes 
.spelled Staning, ^^teyning, Staining, or Staineing. Letitia Penn 
accompanied her father to tliis country on his second visit, and 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 183 

returnpdwitliliim,bntwliileslie was iu America she signed a powi-r 
attorney, November 3, 1701, authorizing James Logan and Edward 
Penington to manage her property in the province. After the 
death of the latter James Logan was her sole attorney, until De- 
cejuber 24, 1711, she and her husband, William Aubrey, executed 
a i)ower of attorney including Samuel Carpenter, who, together 
witli James Logan, thereafter managed her manor. They surveyed 
land to the following persons in the years named: To Gayeu Mil- 
ler, who has already been mentioned, 200 acres on the east branch 
of Ked Clay Creek; this including the eastern part of the present 
borough of Kenuett Square; to Mary Kowland, in 1712, 138 acres 
between Mr. Miller's land and the line of New Garden Township; 
in 1713, to William Pyle, 280 acres; to Alexander Steward, 3,")0 
acres; Silas Pryor, 371 acres; Caleb Prew, 200 acres; John Gregg, 
100 acres; John Cloud, 335 acres on the circular boundary line; 
in 1715, Ellis Lewis, 293 acres; iu 1717, Jacob Bennett, 215 acres; in 
171G, Benjamin Fred, 200 acres; in 1720, John Packer, 200 acres; 
iu 3 723, Eobert Eoberts, 170 acres; and in 1730, William Levis, 
100 acres. 

That portion of this 30,000 acres designed for William Penn, 
Jr., 11,500 acres, was patented to him in May 2t, 1706, by the com- 
missioners, Edward Shippen, Griffith Owen and Thomas Story, 
and received the same name, Stenning. Its boundaries are much 
more briefly described, as follows: 

"Beginning at a hickory tree on the west side of a branch of 
White Clay Ci-eek, thence east 925 perches to a corner of Letitia's 
Manor (Kennett), thence by the same soutli 2,311 perches to an- 
other corner, thence west-south-west 930 perches to White Clay 
Creek, west fifty-eight perches, and north by land of the London 
company, 2,074 perches to the place of beginning." Settlers 
within this manor have been given heretofore. 

Francis Yarnell on June 8, 1708, sold to John Cadwallader for 
£(!0 iu the township of Williston containing 150 acres, whicli 
had been granted to him by the commissioners of property iu 1703. 



1 84 CHESTER COUNTY 

Edward Ilughes on December 20, 1708, sold to Eichard Hill for 
£100 live hundred acres in the township of Easttowu, which prop- 
erty was then called "Travelywyn," and on June 13, 1709, Francis 
Yarnell, as administrator of the estate of Noah Watkins, sold one 
hundred acres of land in Goshen Township to Mordecai Bean. 

William Penn, by his commissioners, Shippen, Owen and 
Logan, on June 25, 1703, granted to Eobert Penuel and Benjamin 
Mendeuhall a tract of laud containing six hundred acres on the 
west side of the Brandywine in Chester County. This land Eobert 
Penne] sold to Benjamin Mead April 18, 1711, with the exception 
of one hundred acres then owned by William Home. 

Barnabas Wilcox piirchased land of the commissioners of prop- 
erty in Westtown late in the last century, and on March 23, 109(5, 
his heirs and successors sold five hundred acres to John Gibbous, 
whicJi he gave to his son, James Gibbons. 

John Blunstone on November 27, 1711, sold to Aaron James 
two luiudred and seventy-six acTes of land for £112, whicli is in 
the toAvnship of WesttoAvn, and ^^lli(■ll Mr. Blunstone had re- 
ceived from the commissioners of ijropei"ty. This land adjoined 
land owned by Benjamin Hickman and John Bellows. That. 
John Blunstone was a prominent man in the early history of this 
county is evident from the fact that when William Penn, on No- 
vember 1, 1701, went to England, he had established a council of 
state, composed of ten members, of which John Blunstone and 
Caleb Pusey were from Chester Count}'. 

The land in this townshiji was resurveyed in 1703 by Isaac 
Taylor, who made a return of lands owned by several parties as 
follows: William Swarf ar, 237 acres; Daniel Hoopes, 170; Ben- 
jamin Hickman, 230; Aaron James, 208; Eicliard Whitepaiue"s 
heirs, 1,918; Richard Collett, 1,090. The laud of the latter was at 
the west end of the township, and was probablj^ in charge of tlie 
surveyor, at least for a time. It was purchased September 2, 1727, 
bv Joliu Salkeld of Chester, while he was on a visit to England. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 185 

On his return to this country he sold one-half of it to his nephew, 
Joseph Parker, and lie also sold three hundred acres to William 
Harvey of Kennett. 

Eichard Whitpaine of London, England, bought a large 
amount of land in the province of Pennsylvania, some of it in 
Montgomery County. His land in Westtown, Chester County, ex- 
tended from the Collett tract, above mentioned, to the present 
School farm. After his death in 1689 his creditors assumed the 
care of his Pennsylvania lands, and the surviving creditor in 
1712 conveyed the property to William Aubrey in trust, who, in 
171.3 conveyed to Eees Thomas of Merion and to Anthony Morris, 
Jr., of Philadelphia to whom a patent was granted by the commis- 
sioners of property July 10, 1718. On May 28, 1718, these two 
gentlemen conveyed a one-third interest in the land to John 
Whitpaine of Philadelphia, grandson of the original owner, and 
after the death of this grandson his widow disposed of it to set- 
tlers. On March 30 and 31 she sold an undivided third interest to 
James Gibbons, and on the same days Thomas and Morris, men- 
tioned above, sold the other two-thirds to the same man. Land in 
the same township was also sold: to Thomas Mercer, 401 acres; to 
Richard Eavenson, 219 acres; to John Yearsley, 290 acres; to 
Philip Taylor, 200 acres, and to Joseph Hunt, 252|- acres. 

Joseph Shippen, then of Westtown, Chester County, in 1792 
purchased of Jacob Gibbons two tracts of land, one containing 
187 acres and the other somewhat more than 67 acres, parts of 
100 acres which had belonged to Joseph Gibbons, father of Jacob, 
Joseph having received it by will from his father, James, who had 
purchased it of tiie widow of John Whitpaine of Philadelphia. 

Joseph Shippen was for some time associate judge of Chester 
County courts, built a mansion on his property, and gave his plan- 
tation the name of "Plumley." Richard Thomas on March 30, 1711, 
sold two hundred acres of land in the township of Goshen to Alex- 
ander Beans, which land lay in the vicinity of land owned by Evan 



186 CHESTER COUNTY 

Joues and Jolin Haines and "the reputed land of Thomas Bo- 
water." This two hundred acres of hind was a part of 1,G65 acres 
granted to Eichard Thomas by William Penn by patent dated 
July 5, 1703, and on the 2Sth of November, 1711, Mr. Thomas sold 
to the same party two hundred acres more of the same tract. 

It is stated in Futhey and Cope's History of Chester County 
that this John Haines became the owner of all the land in the 
borough of West Chester south of Gay street in 1702, of which in 
1715 he sold 36.5 acres to his son John; and that the latter in 1751 
sold fifty acres to John Hoopes, and in 1753 to his son David fifty- 
one acres and 112 perches, and that he devised one hundred acres 
at his death to his grandson John, sou of David Haines. John 
Hoopes also became the owner of the land sold to David Haines,^ 
mentioned above, and sold the entire quautitj'' to John Patton in 
1781. This 101 acres and ]12 perches of htud formed the southeast 
part of the town of West Chester, adjoining the Turk's Head. 

The great Welsh Tract was bounded as follows: The north- 
ern line is tliat which separates the townships of Tredyffrin and 
East and West Whiteland Townships from Schuylkill, Charles- 
town and Lower Uwchlau; the western line is that which separates 
AVest Whiteland, West Goshen and West Chester from East Cain 
and East Bradford, the northwest corner being thus the north- 
west corner of West Whiteland Township. The southern bound- 
ary does not appear to be now certain, but the sur\ey pretty 
surely included the townships of Haverford, Radnor, Merion, 
Tredyffrin, Whiteland, Willistown, Easttown, Goshen an<l a part 
of Westtown. 

Of these townships ITaverford and Radnor are now in Dela- 
ware County, though formerly they were a part of Chester Countj', 
and Merion Township is in I'liiladelphia County. When the divis- 
ion line was run through the Welsh Tract, separating Merion from 
Chester County, there was great dissatisfaction among the Welsh, 
for this line divided their barony into two parts, but the sequel 



AX I) ITS PEOPLE. 187 

has been treated of above aud need not be pursued further her<', 
except to note that if the southern and eastern boundaries were 
parallel respectively to tlie northern and western boundaries of 
the Welsh Tract the area thereof would be very nearly 40,000 
acres; but the three townships first named above were in part a I 
least outside of these limits, which was made necessary from the 
fact that others besides the Welsh settled within the limits. 

One of the features of early life in Chester County, thoujih 
not exclusively in Chester County, was that of the indenture of 
servants, or the binding of them to serve for a term of years. Such 
advertisements as the following were common in the papers pub- 
lished in the first quarter of the present century: 

SIX CENTS REWARD! 

"Kan away from the suscribers, living in Sadsbury, Chester 
County, about five months ago, an apprentice boy turned seven- 
teen years old, named .John Watson McCord. I do hereby warn all 
persons not to harbor said runaway servant about their houses, 
and any person bringing him home .shall be entitled to the above 

reward, but no expenses paid. 

"WILLIAM BKIGGS.'* 

THREE CENTS REWARD! 

"Ran away from the subscriber, living in West Brandywine 
Township, on the ith of this instant (March, 1819), an indentured 
servant girl of color, named Hannah AA'aits, near seventeen years 
of age. Whoever takes her up and brings her home shall receive 
the above reward, but no charges. 

"HUMPHREY MARSHALL." 

As has been stated elsewhere in this work, it was customary in 
the early history of the province for many who could not pay their 
passage to this country, to bind themselves out for a term of years 
to anyone that would pay tlieir way across the sea. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR THE REVOLUTION ACTION OF THE COLONISTS 

— PRELIMINARY STATEMENT WAR MEETINGS IN CHESTER COUNTY RESOLU- 
TIONS ADOPTED THE CONTINENTAL COMMITTEE — ITS PROCEEDINGS — WAR 

MEASURES MUNITIONS OF WAR CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES — THE RAIS- 
ING OF TROOPS — GREAT HARDSHIPS MILITARY CAMPAIGNS — BRANDY- 
WINE LAFAYETTE WOUNDED MOVEMENTS OF THE ARMIES — THE 

PAOLI MASSACRE DEPREDATIONS OF THE BRITISH SOLDIERS 

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS — THE VALLEY FORGE ENCAMPMENT 

CLOSING SCENES OF THE REVOLUTION HOSTILITY TO TORIES 

FORFEITURE OF ESTATES THE TORY's SOLILOQUY THE 

PAOLI MONUMENT THE WHISKY INSURRECTION 

LAFAYETTE'S VISIT TO CHESTER COUNTY THE LA- 
FAYETTE AND THE MC CLELLAN MONUMENTS. 

ASIDE from the difficulties connected with the boundary line 
settlement between Pennsylvania and Maryland, which difficul- 
ties occurred mainly to the westward of Chester County, there 
were no warlike demonstrations of interest until the breaking out 
of the war between England and France, which began in 1744. 
The declaration of war by England against France was made 
March 29, 1744, and notice thereof was given to the people of the 
province of Pennsylvania by the Governor thereof by proclama- 
tion dated June 11, 1744. While it was fortunately true that 
Chester County was not the scene of active operations during thai 
war, yet enlistments were made within the county, and petitions 
were presented to the assembly by James Mather, David Cowp- 
land, John Salkeld and Aubrey Bevan, travern keepers, of Ches- 
ter, for feeding a company of soldiers under the command of Cap- 
tain Shannon, and payment was asked by Dr. Gandouit for medi- 
12 193 



194 CHESTER COUNTY 

fines anrl atteiidnncp on sick soldiers. In this war the liidiaiis 
eventnally sided with the Frencli, and as the assembly did not 
make any effeotiA'e military laws, i3repai*ations for defense were 
necessarily left to ihe voluntarily action of the people, if made 
at all. It was this necessity that led to the formation of military 
bodies or organizations under the name of "Associators," two regi- 
ments of his kind being formed in Chester County. One of these' 
regiments A^■as commanded by Colonel William Moore, and its 
ranks were filled with men from the townships of East and West 
Xantmeal, Uwchlan, West Cain and Charlestown. The lieutenant- 
colonel of this regiment was Samuel Flower and the major John 
Mather. The line officers of the second regiment were Andrew 
McDowell, colonel; John Frew, lieutenant-colonel, and John 
Miller, major. 

Neither the histoiy of the causes that led to the Revolution- 
ary War, nor the history of that war can be expected or desired 
in this work; yet it will be serviceable to note a few of the im- 
portant events in each case for the pui'pose of introduction to the 
part played in that great conflict by Chester County. In April, 
1770, the British ministry had taken off all the taxes of which the 
colonists complained except the tax on tea, three pence per pound; 
and as the result of various movements and disagreements a body 
of some fifty persons, disguised as Indians, went on board the 
vessels in Boston harbor loaded Avitli tea and threw the same over- 
board, December 16, 1773, in the presence of a great crowd of 
people collected to see this act performed. In March and April, 
1774, the British ministry passed a series of acts making an open 
struggle only a question of time. The Boston Port act closed the 
port of Boston against all commerce until the tea thus destroyed 
should be paid for and the town itself should return .to loyalty. 
The Massachusetts act changed the charter of the colony; th*- 
Quebec act extended the boundary' of Canada over the whole tei'ri- 
tory of tlie northwest north of the Ohio River and east of the 
Mississippi. 



AXD ITH PEOPLE. 195 

The consequence of these acts was to largely crj'stallize the 
union elements in the colonies, and the necessity for another con- 
gress was widely felt. This congress uiet at Philadelphia Sep- 
tember 5, 1774, all the colonies being represented except Georgia, 
and it was well known that Georgia was in full sympathy with the 
movement. This was called the First Continental Congress, the 
first national body in the histoi*y of America. The ultimatum 
adopted by this congress October 8, 1774, was: "That this con- 
gress approve the opposition of Massachusetts Bay to the execu- 
tion of the late acts of Parliament; and if the same shall be at- 
tempted to be carried into execution by force, in such case all 
America oiight to support them in their opposition." Summon- 
ing a new congress to meet at Philadelphia May 10 following, 
this first Continental Congress adjourned. 

In February, 1775, Go^ ernor Gage of Massachusetts sent a 
water expedition to Salem to search for powder, but as the day 
was Sunday a conflict was prevented by the ministers. An- 
other expedition sent out April 19 to Concord, a small vil- 
lage twenty miles from Boston, to seize a. stock of powder said to be 
there stored, resulted in the battle of Lexington, but the troops 
proceeded nevertheless to Concord, and destroyed the powder, and 
were so hotly pursued on their return to Boston that had not a 
rescue party been sent out to their assistance they would all 
have been taken prisoners. From April II, 177."i, dates the uatiimal 
existence of the United States. 

On May 10, 1775, two historic events occurred — the meeting 
in Philadelphia of the second Continental Congress and the capture 
of Ticonderoga. This second congress adopted the army around 
Boston as the "American Continental Army,'' and Washington 
appears for the first time on the stage of history, which for so 
long a time he completely filled. The battle of Bunker Hill oc- 
curred on June 17, 1775 and on December 31, 1775, Montgomery 
fell at (Quebec and Benedict Arnold was wounded. In June, 



196 CHESTER COiXTY 

1776, Congi'ess began to issue bills of credit, or continental cur- 
rency, but it failed to seize the power of taxation to provide for 
its redemption, the consequences of which are well known to all 
readers of history. In February, 1776, the first American fleet of 
eight vessels sailed, but its work was of but little importance. 

During all this time there were two elements at work in 
opposition to each other throughout the colonies — one in favoi* 
of reconciliation with Great Britain, the other in favor of inde- 
pendence. The provincial congress of Massachusetts, the conven- 
tion of Maryland, the assembly of New Jersey and other colonial 
bodies declared in the strongest terms their affection for the 
"mother country" and their desire for a reconciliation and har- 
mony between themselves and Great Britain. What was called 
a reunion with Great Britain, on constitutional principles, was 
the favorite object of the (Continental Congress, whose conduct 
was constantly marked with defensive movements, at no time 
giving way to revenge or resentment — -passions inconsistent with 
the dignity of public bodies. They deeply sjmpathized with the 
distress of their country, and made a redress of grievances and the 
protection of America their only care. Nothing appeared up 
to this time to show that independence was what they desired. 
Those who opposed any attempt to secure the independence of 
the colonies made the statement that outside of the Continental 
Congress there were 310,174 people in Maryland represented by 
their convention; 372,208 people in Pennsylvania represented by 
their assembly; 161,290 peojjle in New Jersey represented by 
their assembly, and 124,069 people in New Hampshire represented 
by their convention, amounting in all to 967,741 people, nearly 
one-third of the population of the entire thirteen colonies, who 
v>'ere opposed to separation from the mother country, and that 
the proportion was as great in the colonies not enumerated. 

But notwithstanding such arguments, there were manj^ people 
who fully believed that reconciliation was impossible, and these 



AXD /7',s' pjjoru:. 197 

people were represented in the public prints by able writers, who 
presented such arguments as the following: Governments should 
always be considered as matters of convenience, not of right. 
The Scripture institutes no regular form of government, but it 
enters a protest against the monarchical foi*m; and a negation of 
one thing where two things only are offered and one of them 
must be chosen, amounts to an affirmative as to the other. Mon- 
archical government was first set up by the heathens, and the 
Almighty peimiitted it to the Jews as a punishment. "I gave them 
a King in mine anger," was quoted (but the Avriter omitted the last 
part of the same sentence: "I took him away in my wrath.") A 
republican form of government is pointed out by nature, and a 
Kingly government by an inequality of power. In republican 
governments the leaders of the people if improper are remov- 
able by vote; Kings only by arms. An unsuccessful vote in the first 
case leaves the voter safe; but an unsuccessful attempt in the 
latter, death. Strange! that what is our right in one should be our 
ruin in the other — from which reflection follows this maxim — that 
that mode of government in which our right becomes our ruin can- 
not be the right form of government. A republican form of gov- 
ernment has more true grandeur in it than a Kingly government; 
on the part of the public it is more consistent with freemen to 
appoint their rulers than to have them born, and on the part 
of those who preside it is far nobler to be a ruler by choice of the 
people than a King by the chance of birth. Every honest dele- 
gate is more than a monarch. If the history of the creation and 
the history of Kings be compared the result will be this: That God 
made the world and Kings have robbed him of it. 

While these movements were taking place in the American 
colonies and wJiile such arguments were being used for and against 
independence, England was making her preparations for a recon- 
ciliation very different from the kind desired even by those whose 
ties bound tliem strongest to the mother countrj-. On February 



198 CHESTER COUXTY 

27, 177(1, :i messenger arrived at St. James's bearing some very im- 
portant aispatches from the Regency of Hanover, and on the 1st 
of March he was sent over with several packets for the lords of 
that electorate. At that time the following forces were agreed 
to in council to be sent to America: Hessians, 12,000; Bruns- 
wickers, 4,000; Waldeckers, 2,000; British, 37,000; total, 55,000. 
The treaty with tlie Duke of Brunswick was signed by Colonel 
William I'awcitt on the Dtli of January, 177G. By that treaty 
3,9(i-i men were taken into the pay of Great Britain, and also 33(j 
light cavalry, dismounted, while half of them were to be ready to 
march on the 15th of February and to arrive at the place of em- 
barkation on the 25th of the same month, the other half to be 
ready to march the last Aveek of March. Levy money to be paid 
to the Duke of Brunswick was thirty crowns for each man, at the 
rate of Is. O^d. to the crown, and the King was to pay the Duke a 
subsidy of 01,500 Gennan crowns a year while in pay, and double 
that for two years after the troops returned. The treaty with the 
Landgrave of Hesse was signed at Cassel on the 15th of January 
and by it 12,000 Hessians were hired, a part of whom Avere to 
begin their marcli on the 27th of February, and the remainder 
within four Aveeks thereafter, twenty pounds banco to be paid for 
levy money for each man, the subsidy to be 45,000 crowns banco per 
annum at 4s. 9fd., the treaty to continue one year after the troops 
arrived back in the Kingdom of Hesse. 

The treaty with the Count of Hanau was signed February 5 
for (W)S infantry, to begin to march on the 20th of March, levy 
money to be 30 croAvus, and the annual subsidy to be 35,000 crowns. 

Thus arrayed before the world were the three parties to the 
coming contest, Avhich lias proved so momentous in the history of 
the world — the patriots, the loyalists and the British nation. 
And it is now time to turn attention to such events in Chester 
County that Avere the natural result of greater movements in the 
outside world. Immediately after the closing of the port of Bos- 



.l.\7) ITS I'EOl'IJL 199 

ton, as narrated above, meetings were held iu Philadelphia, and 
the committee of correspondence for this city sent ont a circular 
to the principal citizens of each of the several counties in the prov- 
ince, in which tliey say: "'ilie Governor declining to call the 
assembly renders it necessary to take the sentiments of the in- 
habitants; and for that purpose it is agreed to call a meeting of 
the inhabitants of this city and the county at the State House on 
AVednesday the IHth instant. And as we would wish to have the 
sentiments and concurrence of our brethren in the several coun- 
ties, who are equally interested with us in the general cause, we 
earnestly desire you to call together the principal inhabitants of 
jour county and take their sentiments. We shall forward to you by 
every occasion any matters of consequence tha!t come to our 
knowledge and we should be glad you would choose and appoint 
a committee to correspond with us." 

This circular was sent to the following persons in Chester 
County: Francis Eichardson, Elisha Price and Henry Hayes. 
These three gentlemen as a committee, on the 4th of July, 1774, 
issued a call for a meeting of the freeholders and others, inhabit- 
ants of the County of Chester, qualified by law to vote for repre- 
sentatives in the general assembly, to meet at the court-house in 
Chester on July 13 folloA\iug, wliicli meeting was accordingly held, 
and of which Fraincis Pichardson was selected chairman and 
Francis Johnston secretary-. A long series of resolutions was 
adopted afiirniing "Allegiance to our lawful and rightful sovereign 
lord, George III, King of Great Britain," etc., but at the same 
time condemning the act of Parliament closing the port of Bos- 
ton as unconstitutional, oppressive and dangerous to the liberties 
of the British colonies; favoring a Congress of Deputies from the 
colonies, and expressing the opinion that it would be highly con- 
ducive to the liberties of America "should the colonies enter into 
a solemn agi'eement not to purchase any goods, wares or mer- 
chandise imported from Great Britain under such restrictions as 



200 CHESTER COUNTY 

be agreed upon by the colonies. We, for our part, sensible of the 
great advantages which must arise from jaromotiug economy and 
manufacturing among ourselves are determined to use as little 
foreign manufactures of what kind or quality soever as our neces- 
sities will permit until the several acts of the British Parliament 
injurious to American interests be repealed." 

The meeting then appointed the following committee to meet 
with other similar committees from other counties in the province 
to unite them in such measures as should be deemed advisable and 
expedient: Francis Eichardson, Elisha Price, John Hart, Anthony 
Wayne, John Sellers, Hugh Lloyd, Francis Johnston, Richard 
Ililey, William Montgomery, William Barker, Thomas Hockley, 
Eobert Mendeuhall and John Fleming, the first eight of whom were 
present at Philadelphia on the 1.5th of that month. 

At this meeting so held a series of sixteen resolutions were 
unanimously adopted, in which they again expressed their 
allegiance to the King of Great Britain, condemned the Parlia- 
ment and urged that a Congress of Deputies from the several 
colonies be immediately assembled, which should take siich meas- 
ures as would procure relief for their gi'ievauces and restore 
harmony between Great Britain and her colonies. John Dickin- 
son was chairman of the committee which presented the resolu- 
tions and was the author of the resolutions. This committee was 
to give instructions to the assembly, which met the week after- 
ward, and request them to appoint a proper number of repre- 
sentatives to attend the Congress of Deputies from the several 
colonies, which should meet at some convenient time and place 
to carry out the purposes of those having the interests of the 
colonies at heart. Chester County's member of the committee 
presenting these resolutions was Elisha Price. 

The assembly, which met as expected, appointed as member* 
of the Congress of Deputies: Joseph Galloway, Daniel Ehoads, 
Thomas MifiHin, John Morton, Charles Humphreys, George Eoss^ 



AM) /7'.S' PEOPLE. 201 

Edward Biddle, and later, John Dickinson, John Morton and 
Cliarles riumphreys being from Cliester County. The congress 
was composed of fifty-five delegates, and met in Philadelphia on 
September 5 

On December 20, 1774, another meeting was h^d at the coiirt- 
honse in Chester County for the purpose of choosing a committee 
to carry into execution the association of the Continental Con- 
gress, the committee selected for this purpose being as follows: 
Anthony AA'ayue, Francis Johnston, Eichard Kiley, Evan Evans, 
James Moore, Hugh Lloyd, Thomas Hockley, David Cowpland, 
John Hart, Sketchley Morton, Samuel Fairlamb, Isaac Eyre, John 
Crosby, >Jicholas Diehl, Jesse Bonsall, Aaron Oakford, Benjamin 
Branuan, John Talbot, Joseph Brown, Samuel Price, John Craw- 
ford, John Taylor, Lewis Cronow, Edward Humphreys, Henry 
Lawrence, Bichard Thomas, William Montgomery, Persifor Frazer, 
Thomas Taylor, John Foulke, Eobett Mendenhall, Joseph Penuell, 
George Pierce, Nicholas Fairlamb, Samuel Trimble, Charles Dil- 
worth, Jf>hu Hannum, George Hoops, Joel Bailey, John Gilliland, 
Joseph Bishop, Jr., John Kerlin, Edward Bones, William Lewis, 
Patrick Anderson, Joshua Evans, Thomas Hartman, Dr. Bran- 
son Van Leer, William Evans, Thomas Cowan, Thomas Haslep, 
Patterson Bell, Dr. Jonathan Morris, Andrew Mitchell, Thomas 
Buffington, James Bennett, Joseph Musgrave, William Miller, 
Eichard Flower, Walter Finney, James Simpson, David Wherry, 
James Evans, Thomas Bishop, William Edwalrds, Jonathan Ver- 
non, Jr., Lewis Davis, Sr., Joseph Gibbons, Jr., and Thomas Evans. 
TJiis committee was authorized to continue until one month after 
the adjournment of the next Continental Congress, and to transact 
such business and to enter into such associations as to them 
might apear expedient. 

Of this committee Anthony Wayne was selected chairman and 
Francis Johnston secretary. The committee then unanimously 
resclved that anj- twelve or more of their number should be a 



202 rilESTJ'JR corxTY 

quorum, but that uothing should be done except upon the sanc- 
tion of at least twelve, and that in their opinion it was neces- 
sary that a provincial convention should be held as soon as pos- 
sible. They also resolved that tAvelve persons of their committee 
sliiiuld be appointed to attend as delegates such a convention at 
sucli time and place as should be generallj' agreed upon. 

The ]iroposed provincial convention assembled at Philadel- 
pliia January 23, 1775, and remained in session until the 2Stli. 
Chester ('ouuty was represented therein by the following ten 
persons: Anthony Wayne, Hugh Lloyd, Kichard Thomas, Fran<'is 
Johnston, Samuel Fairlamb, Lewis Davis, William Montgomery, 
Joseph Musgrave, Joshua Evans and Persifor Frazer. The two 
members elected to attend that could not be present were Thomas 
Hockley aiiti Tliomas Taylor. 

A meeting of the Chester County committee was held March 
20, 1775, at the house of Eichai'd Cheyney in East Cain, at which 
meeting it was ordered that Mr. Hockley, Mr. Johnston, Mr. 
Gronow, ilr. Idr)yd, Mr. Frazer, Mr. Moore and Mr. Taylor be ap- 
pointed a committee to essay a draught of a petition to i)resent 
to th(* general assembly of the province, with regard to the mauu- 
mision of slaves, especially relating to the freedom of infants 
hereafter- born of black women within this province, and to make 
report of the sajue to this committee at its next meeting. 

At the iirsi meeting of the Chester County committee it had 
been resolved that subscriptions be taken u]» for the suffering peo- 
ple of liostou and Massachusetts Bay, in accordance with which 
rcsolurion Ihc Society of Friends, acting in their meeting capacity, 
liberally c(mtril)uted to tlie object. Chester Monthly Meet- 
ing contributed £70, Darby Meeting contributed £33 and 
Haverford Meeting also contributed to such an amount as 
Avas practicable. At the meeting of the committee held iu March, 
above mentioned, it was on motion ordered that each, member of 
the committee use his utmost diligence in collecting the several 



AXD /7',s' PEOPLE. 203 

sums of money subscribed for the use of Boston, and pay the same 
into the bands of Anthony Wayne, treasurer, at the next meeting 
of the committee. 

The committee hehl a meeting at Chester May 22, 1775, at 
which it was resolved, in order to avert the evils and calamities 
which threatened the country,that they would use their utmost eu- 
deavors to learn the militarj- exercise, that tbey would Tpaj a due 
regard to their officers, and that they would at all times be ready 
to defend their lives, liberties and property against all attemjjt.s 
to deprive them of them. On the 2.5th of September, 1775, a meet- 
ing was held at tlie sign of the Turk's Head in the township of 
Goshen, at which it was resolved that inasmuch as certain per- 
sons inimical to the liberties of America had industriously cir- 
culated a report that the military associators in the county, in 
conjunction with the militaiw associators in general, intended to 
overturn the constitution by declaring an independency, etc., and as 
the report could only originate among the worst of men for the- 
worst of purposes, "This committee have thought proper to 
declare, and they do hereby declare, their abhorrence even of an 
idea so perniciou.s in its nature, as they ardently wish for nothing- 
more than a happy and speedy reconciliation on constitutional 
principles with that state from whom they derive their origin." 

On the 2ad of October, 1775, the committee, composed in part 
of new members, met again at the house of David Cowpland in 
Chester and passed a motion ordering each of its members to 
immediately make return of the quantity of powder he had already 
collected or might collect within his district, together with the 
prices and the name of the owner thereof, that the same might 
be paid for, and it v/as also resolved that Anthony Wayne, Francis 
Johnston, Elisha Price, Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Knowles, Mr. Lloyd, 
and Mr. Brannan be appointed a committee of correspondence for 
the count}'. 

The assembly, on the 30th of June, 1775, appointed a com- 



204 CHESTER COUNTY 

mittee of safety, of which the Chester County members were as 
follows: Anthony Wayne, Benjamin Bartholomew, Francis John- 
ston, and Eichard Iviley. Each county was required to furnish a 
certain number of firelocks, six hundred being required from Ches- 
ter County. These six hundred firelocks were manufactured by a 
Mr. Dunwicke and were ready to be tested by October G, 1775. Of 
the committee of safety Benjamin Franklin was made president, 
William Garrett clerk, and Michael Hillegas treasurer. And 
among the first labors of this committee of safety was the prepara- 
tion of articles for the government of those military' organizations 
known as "Associators." In October the committee of safety was 
reorganized, but the Chester County members were all retained^ 
and Nicholas Fairlamb was added to their number. The Chester 
County committee held a meeting on December 26, 1775, in order 
to secure a more perfect organization of the Associators, and it was 
resolved that Anthony "Wayne, James Moore, Francis Johnston, 
Dr. Samuel Kennedy, Caleb Davis, William Montgomery, Persifor 
Frazer and Eichard Thomas, or any five or more of them, be ap- 
pointed to represent the county if there should be any occasion in 
provincial convention for the ensuing year. 

At its session in May previous. Congress had resolved to raise 
a continental army, of which the portion allotted to Pennsylvania 
amounted to 4,300 men, and the assembly recommended to the 
several counties that they i)rovi(l(' arms and accouterments for this 
force. At the request of Congress the committee recommended 
proper persons for officers in the several battalions. The com-, 
mittee recommended Anthony Wayne of Chester Coimty as colonel 
of the Fourth Pennsylvania battalion. Francis Johnston was rec- 
ommended as lieutenant-colonel, and Nicholas Hansecker of Lan- 
caster County as major. Of the three the latter was the only one 
that went over to the enemy, this being soon after the battle of 
Trenton. 

The Provincial Convention that met in Philadelphia, January 



AND IT^ PEOPLE. 205 

23, 1775, recommended among other tliiugs the making of salt- 
l)eter, and, in accordance with this recommendation, extraordinary 
means were adopted to insure a proper supply. Benjamin Bran- 
nan, Walter Finney and John Beaton were appointed to attend 
the saltpeter manufactory in the city of Philadelphia, in order to 
perfect themselves in the art, and afterward made appointments to 
meet at several different houses in the county to teach and instruct 
all persons who might be pleased to apply at the times and places 
appointed. On February 7, 177G, a powder-maker by the name of 
Thomas Heimberger engaged to erect a powder mill in Chester 
County, about thirty-three miles from Philadelphia, a few miles 
from Yellow Springs, provided the committee advanced him £150 
and kept him employed one year. On February 26, 1776, John 
Beaton advertised that he would be at several places at as many 
different times to instruct in making saltpeter, and on March 29 an 
order was drawn by the committee of safety in favor of the com- 
mittee of Chester County for £500 for the purchase of arms on 
account of Congress. 

Every necessary precaution was taken to prevent any portion 
of the British navy from passing up the Delaware Eiver to Phila- 
delphia, chevaux-de-frize being sunk in the river, and only persons 
specially appointed to conduct vessels through the opening in the 
obstruction permitted to go below Chester. Provincial troops were 
rapidly organized along the river, and collected in such numbers 
that there were not houses enough in and around Chester to accom- 
modate them, for which reason the committee of safety on April 
13, 1776, resolved that Col. Miles procure for the use of the troops 
one hundred good tents on the most reasonable temis possible. 
On April 17, an order was drawn for £1,500 by the committee of 
safety in favor of the commissioners and assessors of Chester 
County for the payment of firelocks, etc., made in that county for 
the use of the province. An application was made to the com- 
mittee of safety for 850 pounds of powder, in addition to the 400 



2o6 CHESTER COTXTY 

pounds on banil, and lead enough for the whole, and for 1,500 
Hints to be distributed anioug the Associators, in order to supply 
them with twenty-three pounds per man. 

May 7, 1770, Eobert Towers was directed to deliver to Col. 
Samuel Miles, for the use of the rroviucial troops under his com- 
mand, 1,000 pounds of gunpowder and 2,000 pounds of lead, or a:i 
frreat a part thereof as is in store. At the same time 20,000 car- 
tridges for muskets for the use of the Associators of Chester 
County were directed to be conveyed to Chester, and ou the next 
day the commissary was directed to send down to Chester, for tlie 
use of the Provincial troops under Col. Miles, sixty firelocks. 

In June, 1776, the powder works in Chester County were as 
follows: That owned by Cowperthwaite & Biddle on French Creek, 
about four miles above Moore Hall; that of Thomas lleimberger, ou 
a branch of French Creek about five miles above that first men- 
tioned; one on Crum Creek belonging to Dr. Robert Harris, and be- 
sides these there was a small one in Bucks County on Swamp 
Creek. At this time tlie number of firearms fit for service, in 
Chester County, was as follows: First battalion, Col. James Moore, 
380; Second battalion. Col. Thomas Hockley, 100; Third battalion. 
Col. Hugh Lloyd, 300 ; Fourth battalion. Col. AMlliam Montgomery, 
450; Fifth battalion. Col. Eichard Thomas, 300; total, 1,830. 

By order of the committee of safety the commissary, Robert 
Towers, was ordered to deliver to the colonels of the several bat- 
talions of Associators in Chester County the following quantities 
of ammunition: To Col. James Mooi'e, 2,300 cartridges for jirovin- 
cial muskets; 2,070 cartridges sorted for the other bores of fire- 
locks, and 1,500 flints; to Col. Thomas Hockley, 2,300 of the first 
kind, 2,300 of the second kind, and 1,000 flints; to Col. Hugh Lloyd, 
1,840 of the first kind, 1,010 of the second kind, and 1,200 flints; 
to Col. William Montgomery, 2,7G0 of the first kind, 2,115 of the 
second kind, and 1,800 flints; to Col. Richard Thomas, 1,810 of the 
first kind, 1,610 of the second, and 1,200 fiints. Each of these bat- 
talions also received lead and loose powder in the same proportion. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 207 

One of the important duties of tlie eonimittee of safety was 
the preparation of articles govei'ning the military organizations 
of the province, which articles are too lengthy and of too general 
a nature to require introduction here; but tliey were very rigid, 
^lany of the citizen soldiers refused to subscribe to them or to 
submit to theni, for the reason, as they claimed, that many persons 
claimed exemption from military service because of conscientious 
or religious scruples, the citizen soldiers thinking that where tiic 
liberties of all were in danger, all should bear their proportionare 
share of the risk and of the expense of defense. As a result of 
these objections to the performance of militan- duty on the part 
of those who were otherwise willing to perform them, tlie com- 
mittee of safety I'ecommended to the assembly that provisions be 
made that such persons as were opposed to becoming soldiers on 
account of their conscientious or religious scruples might be per- 
mitted to pay an equivalent in money for such services as they 
would otherwise have to perform. The assembly thereupon re- 
solved that all persons between sixteen and fifty years of age, capa- 
ble of bearing arms, who did not associate for the defense of the 
province ought to contribute an equivalent for the time spent by 
the Associators in acquiring military discipline, except ministers of 
the gospel and servants purchased bona fide. And the county 
commissioners were empowered to assess on those not associated 
the sum of £2 10s. annually in addition to the ordinary tax. 

July 4, 1770, was the day that the Declaration of Independence 
went foiiJi. On the 5th Congress resolved that the declaration be 
sent to the several assemblies and conventions and councils, and 
to the several commanders of the Continental troops, that it be 
read at the head of the army and in each of the United States. 
Letters wei-e sent out by the committee to the different colonels 
of the battalions of the counties of Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester 
and Lancaster, requesting them to have their troops ready to march 
at an hour's notice. The Associators of the province, divided into 



2o8 CHESTER COUNTY 

liftj-tliree battailous, met by delegates at Lancaster July ■!, 177(i, 
to elect two brigadier-generals to command the forces of Penn- 
sylvania, Daniel Koberdeau and James Ewing being chosen. To 
this convention at Lancaster, Chester County sent Major Culbert- 
son, Col. Montgomery, Lieut.-Col. Gibson, Captains Wallace, Scott 
and Gardiner, and Privates Cunningham, Dennj^, Culbertson and 
Fulton. 

On July 12, 177G, Kobert Smith, who had been chosen lieu- 
tenant of the county, wrote to Thomas Wharton, Jr., president of 
the i^rovince, that he was under the necessity of applying to him 
for money to enable him to fill the first class of the militia of 
Chester County, which had long before been ordered to march, 
but that only 320 had arrived, of whom 200 were substitutes, and 
that the class when full would contain 700 men. 

The musket battalion composed of 444 men was under com 
raand of Col. Samuel John Atlee, the captains of the several com- 
panies being Patrick Anderson, Peter Z. Lloyd, Francis Muncy, 
Abraham Marshall, Abraham Dehuff, Thomas Herbert, John Nice 
and Joseph Howell. On July 15, Abraham Mai'shall was per- 
mitted to I'esign and was succeeded by Jose^jh McClellan. This 
battalion, along with other troops from Chester County, was pres- 
ent in the campaign of New York. The fourth battalion, of Chester 
County, which was one of those in the New York campaign, was 
commanded by Col. Montgomery. One of the companies in this 
battalion was commanded hj Captain James McDowell, the lieu- 
tenants being James Thorn and Daniel Hayes, the ensign Abra- 
ham Smith, the sergeants Charles Ramsey, John Wallace^ Ezekiel 
Hopkins and John Arnell, and the drummer Neal Crossin. The 
number of j^rivate soldiers in this company was forty-six. Three 
battJilions, including that of Col. Atlee, were formed into a regi- 
ment under command of Col. Samuel Miles, and were in the dis- 
astrous battle at Flatbush, Long Island, on the 27th of August. 
Several of Capt. Pat. Anderson's comijany were killed, one sergeant 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 211 

ami niue privates were missing, and the Captain himself nar- 
rowly escaped with his life. Colonels Miles and Atlee were taken 
]»risoners, and Lieut.-Col. Caleb Perry was killed. The command 
of tlie regiment then devolved upon Col. Daniel Broadhead. On 
August 1 there were 397 men in Col. Alice's battalion, but oil Sep- 
tember 22, according to a letter from Capt. Anderson, there were 
only eighty-three men left, on account of losses in killed, wounded, 
prisoners and deserters. 

The I'eunsylvauia troops suffered severely, not only in the bat- 
tle of Long Island, but also in the reduction of Fort Washington, 
Col. Atlee's and Col. Montgomery's battalions, among several 
others, being taken prisoners. General Howe then threatened 
Philadelphia, to which city Gen. Washington sent Major-General 
Israel Putuam to take charge of its defense. In the absence of the 
rroo])s from Chester County on the expeditions mentioned above, 
the young women followed the plow and prepared the fallow fields 
for tlie fall seeding. All of the coarse blankets, clothing and 
stockings in the county were purchased, and the owners of stock, 
by order of the committee of safety, prepared to remove their 
stock back from the Delaware to a place of security, at least, to a 
distance of five miles. The salt in the possession of the committee 
was sent to the several counties in the province, Chester County, 
jcceiving eighty bushels, which was to be sold to the people at the 
rate of fifteen shillings per bushel. Dr. Kobert Harris received 
£.">S for making powder, and it was proposed by Dr. Thomas Bond 
that hospitals be established for the sick at Darby, Chester, Marcus 
Hook, Wilmington and New Castle. 

The battle of Trenton, won by General Washington December 
25, 1770, greatly relieved the drooping spirits of the people and 
removed the apprehensions that had been felt by the inhabitants 
of Chester County of any immediate attack on the city of Phila- 
delphia, which city was so near to them, an,d which would bring the 
war so near to their homes. On the morning of the 10th of March, 
13 



212 CHESTER COUXTY 

1777, a serious accident occurred, in the explosion of the powdcn' 
mill on French Creek, Avhich, however, may not have been wholly 
an accident, for Peter Dehaven, who had charge of the mill, wrote 
to the committee of safety that he suspected the mill was blown 
up by Mr. Peck or his men, and, as a natiiral result, Mr. Peck and 
his men were all taken prisoners and kept under guard until an 
investigation could be made. One man was so badly burned that 
he died next day. After the investigation had been made Mr. 
Peck, who was the powder-maker, and his men were set at liberty. 

The cannon cast at Warwick furnace during the year 177(! 
consisted of 23 12-pounders and 37 18-pounders, <>() in all, and 
those cast at Heading furnace consisted of 31 12-pounders and 
Gl 18-pounders, 02 in all. On the 11th of November, 1776, Daniel 
Joy, from Reading furnace, wrote to Daniel Ivittenhouse in Phila- 
delphia, that he had sent him two 9-pounder cannon, proved with 
eight pounds of powder, two shot and three wads, that he in- 
tended to cast six more of the same size, and afterward one each 
day, but they would be somewhat larger. 

On the 12th of March, 1777, the officers of -the Fifth Pennsyl- 
vania regiment were as follows: Francis Johnston, colonel; Persi- 
for Frazer, lieutenant-colonel, and Thomas Robinson, major. On 
April 3 a requisition for wagons was made upon Colonel Caleb 
Davis, Chester County; Major Evans, near Yellow Springs; Col- 
onel William Dewees, at Valley Forge, and Isaac Webb, Milltown, 
now Downingtown. 

On April 28, 1777, Lieut. Robert Smith wrote to President 
Wharton that he had used all the industry in his power in for- 
warding the business of the militia of Chester County, which had 
been divided into eight districts or battalions, that the field officers 
had been elected, and met that day to draw for rank, and he said 
that the number of persons returnable to him in the county as 
capable of bearing arms was upward of 5,000. 

On July 9 the council made a request that the justices of the 



AXD /T.S' PEOPLE. 213 

peace should nominate proper persons to take an account of all 
the wheat, flour, grain and other stores in the county of Chester 
witJiiu twenty miles of the Delaware to the westward, and in 
accordance therewith the justices, namely, Isaac Davis, James 
Moore, Daniel Griffith, Philip Scott and Robert Smith, made a 
return as follows: 

John Wilson, Isaac Taylor, George Curry, Chai'les Dilworth, 
Thomas McCall, Joshua Evans, James Ewing and James Lindsey. 

For the purpose of providing for and feeding the poor that 
might be removed from the city of Philadelphia, in anticipation of 
an attack on that city by the British general, Howe, the foUoAving 
gentlemen were appointed: 

Benjamin Bartholomew of East Whiteland, Daniel John of 
Charlestown, David Thomas of Vincent, Michael Hallman of Pike- 
laud, Peter Crumbacker of Coventry, William James of East Xant- 
meal, John Brower of West Jsantmeal, Thomas Evans of Uwchlan, 
George Thomas of West Whiteland, James Thompson of East Cain, 
John Fleming of West Cain, Joseph Parker of Sadsbury, Thomas 
Heslip and Samuel Futhey of East and West Fallowiield, William 
Wilson of Oxford, William Pake of West Nottingham, and David 
Wherry of East Xottingham. 

On August 5, 1877, Lewis Grouow wrote to Timothy Matlack, 
stating that great dissatisfaction was expressed with the mode of 
hiring substitutes. The advance of such large premiums as was 
being made iu Philadelphia County for two months' service was 
unreasonable and absurd. The county had given £25 for several 
that had been supplied, and the news quickly reached Chester 
County, which made it necessary to give as much in Chester County, 
otherwise the men would go elsewhere to enlist; that is, men who 
were not under marching orders, for Avhich he said they could not 
be blamed. The question, therefore, was, Mr. Gronow said, 
whether he should pay such extravagant premiums. 

It was about this time that the British fleet approached Dela- 



214 CHESTER COUXTY 

ware Bay, and it was expected that fleet would ascend the bay and 
river as far as XJrac'ticable, and make the attack on Philadelphia 
from that direction. "Washington was, therefore, directed to re- 
jmir with his army to Philadelphia, and the militia of Maryland, 
Delaware and Northern Virginia were ordered to join the Pennsyl- 
vania troops. Upon Washington's arrival in Philadelphia he first 
met Lafayette, who had then recently arrived in that city, and 
Lafayette at once took up his quarters with the commander-in- 
chief. General Howe, after entering Delaware Bay, found ap- 
proach to Philadelphia too diilicult by that route, so withdrew his 
fleet to the ocean, and entered Chesapeake Bay. August 25, the 
British army, consisting of 18,000 men, including a portion of the 
Hessians, disembarked near the head of the Elk Kiver, and on the 
28th the vanguard arrived at the head of the Elk, and the day fol- 
lowing at Gray's Hill. Here it was joined by the rear guard under 
General Knyphausen, and the entire army posted itself behind the 
river Christiana, with Newark on the right and Pencauder on 
the left. 

In the month of September two companies of militia of Chester 
County embodied themselves and applied for ammunition and arms 
at headquarters, fearing that the enemy would invade the county; 
but their application was refused, it was thought, for the reason 
that they were unwilling to join in with the other militia and be 
taken under the direction of the commander-in-chief. The day be- 
fore the British army landed, as narrated above. General Washing- 
ton marched his army through Philadelphia toward the Brandy- 
wine, and as the means of transportation for the army baggage 
was inadequate, an order was issued to the justices of the peace of 
each county of Philadelphia and Chester for twentj^-five four-horse 
wagons. The headquarters were established at Wilmington, and 
on September 1 the militia called out in Lancaster County were 
ordered by him to join his forces at that place. 

The British army being j^ut in motion, threatened with its right 



AXD 77\s' PEOPLE. 215 

the center of General Washington's position, and with its left ex- 
tended threatened to turn his right wing. Perceiving the danger, 
General Washington retired behind the Brandywine and took up a 
position at Chadd's Ford, as the most practicable of all for defense, 
and encamped on the rising ground extending from Chadd's Ford 
in the direction of northwest to southeast General Maxwell's 
riflemen scoured the right or west bank of the Brandywine in 
order to harass and retard the approach of the British army as 
much as possible, and the militia under General Armstrong was 
assigned a position on the left or east bank of the Brandj-wine, 
about two miles below the principal encampment of Washington, 
which enabled him to guard two fords, named Pyle's Ford and 
Corner Ford. In order to fortify the position at Chadd's Ford a 
line of breastworks was hastily thrown up on the bluff bordering 
on level ground a little to the north of the main road, and the right 
wing of the American army lined the banks of the Brandywine 
higher up, where the passages were more difficult. 

Having thus disposed his army Washington awaited the 
approach of the British, which, on the evening of September 'J, 
entered Chester County in tAvo divisions, one of which, under Gen- 
eral Knyphausen, encamped at Xev/ Garden and Kennett Square, 
and the other under Cornwallis, a short distance below Hockessin 
Meeting-house. The next day the two divisions of the army united 
at Kennett Square, in the evening the forces under Knyphauseji^ 
advancing toward Welsh's Tavern, afterward known as the Anvil, 
those under Cornwallis remaining on the hills north and west of 
Kennett Square. 

On this day Peter De Haven wrote to Vice-President Bryan 
that Doctor Kanady had requested him to spare one hundred stand 
of arms at the '^Yallo Spring," as there was a suspicion of the 
"Towrys raising." But Mr. De Haven could not spare any anus or 
ammunition with(.ut an order from the executive council. On the 
same day Mr. De Haven wrote another letter to the effect that a 



2i6 CHESTER COUXTY 

part of "Mr. Hows armey is within four miles of Downing Town, 
and I believe they intend for our Magazcue, and we are in a very 
I>oor situation for defending it. I should be very glad if you would 
send a proper Gard for this place. I have Eid threw this Naber- 
hood to Procure Waggons but could get but 8 or 10 to move som 
of the Powder toward Eeddin, but to what place I am a sti'anger." 

By the v;i])i(l approach of "Mi\ Hows armey," Mr. De Haveu 
was compelled to depart and to burn the mills, removing to Hum- 
mel st own. 

Early on the morning of the 11th of September General Howe 
divided his army into two columns, one commanded by General 
Knyphausen, the other by Lord Cornwallis, the former marching 
direct to Chadd's Ford by the Philadelphia road, and the other, 
accompanied by General Howe, taking a circuitous route through 
the toAvnships of Kennett, East Marlborough, Xewlin, West and 
East Bradford, and Birmingham, on the way crossing the West 
Branch of the Brandywine at Trimble's Ford, and the East 
Branch at Jefferis' Ford, and approaching Birmingham Meeting- 
house from the north. While this movement was being made by 
Cornwallis' column, Knyphausen's column was making repeated 
attempts to cross the Brandywine at Chadd's Ford, merely to divert 
the attention of the Americans from this important flank move- 
ment. Bj' furious cannonading on the part of Knjphausen, alter- 
nate retreats and eager pursuits of the portions of Washington's 
army thrown across the Brandywine at Chadd's Ford, the flank 
movement was kept from General Washington until about noon, 
when General HoAve had crossed both of the upper branches of the 
Brandywine and was proceeding down the left bank of the main 
branch with the view of suddenly falling upon and crushing the 
right wing of the American army. Upon being advised of this 
movement of the British general, Washington decided on the 
boldest movepossible to bemade — tocross the Brandywine with his 
entire army, fall upon Knyphausen with terrible force and to crush 



.L\7> /7W i'i:(ti'Li:. 217 

him before Howe could arrive upou the scene. Had this move- 
ment been carried out the fortunes of the day would have been with 
the Americans, but when in the execution of this design a second 
report arrived at Washington's headquarters that no such move- 
ment as previously reported had been made by General Howe, that 
he had not crossed the upper branches of the Brandywine, that he 
had made a feint of crossing, but that he had really marched down 
the right bank of the stream, instead of crossing over, and was 
then on tlie point of uniting his forces with those of Knyphausen; 
in which case, Gen. Washington knew that the British ai-my would 
be superior to his both in numbers and in the fact of acting on the 
defensive, and hence his failure to crush Knj'phausen and the loss 
to him of the battle of the Brandywine. 

In the midst of conflicting reports as to the movements of 
Lord Coi"nwallis' column, a citizen of Thornbury Township named 
Thomas Cheyney, a justice of the peace, rode up to the forces under 
General Sullivan, and informed that geuei-al of the true state of 
affairs — that Cornwallis had crossed the Brandywine and was rap- 
idly marching down its left bank. Being rather uncourteously 
received by General Sullivan, Mr. Cheyney demanded that he should 
be conducted to the commander-in-chief, who at first disposed to 
doubt the correctness of the infonnation, was at length convinced 
of its truth, and immediately disposed of his troops in such a 
nuuiner as best to meet the new and unexpected emergencj*. The 
right wing of the army of Washington was in command of Gen- 
erals Stephen, Stirling and Sullivan, and under their respective 
commanders the three divisions of the right wing advanced to 
meet the British coming down from the north. The division 
under command of General Anthony Wayne remained at Chadd's 
Vo\^\ to keep Knyphausen in check, and General (h-eene's division, 
accompanied by General Washington, fomied a reserve, taking a 
position between the right and left wings, and ready to march 
either to the succor of Sullivan or Wayne, as circumstances might 
require. 



2 1 8 CHEf^TER COUNTY 

The coliimu of Cornwallis being now in siglit of the American 
forces, General Sullivan drew up his troops on the ground above 
Birmingham Meeting-house, his left extending toward the Braudv- 
wine, and his riglit toward a thick piece of woods. His artillery 
was advantageously planted, but his division having taken a cir- 
cuitous route in getting into position, the battle began before he 
was really ready for it, about half-past four o'clock in the after- 
noon. The riglit, having been formed under the enemy's fire, first 
gave way, exposing that flank of the remaining divisions to a gall- 
ing lire, and the right continuing to break all along the line, the 
flight became general. The vanquished soldiers fled into the woods 
in their rear, the victors pursuing and advancing by the great road 
toward Dilworth. In order to check the pursuit the Tenth Vir- 
ginia, under Col. Stephens, and a Pennsylvania regiment, under 
Col. Stewart, neither of which had participated in the battle, were 
advantageously posted, on the road taken by the fleeing army, and 
though at length dispersed by Gen. Howe's troops, j'et performed 
good Service in checking and putting an end to the pursuit. Gen. 
Greene also contributed largely to the same end, for, having placed 
himself at the liead of Muhlenberg's Brigade, in the rear of tlie 
retreating army, he kept up so destructive a fire from his artillery 
as to retard the enemy, and arriving at a narrow defile strongly 
protected on both right and left bj- woods, he immediately halted 
liis forces, sent forward his cannon, and formed liis troops, de- 
termined to dispute the pass, notwithstanding the superiority of 
the pursuing army. Thougli he was dislodged by IIoAve, the pur- 
suit was here abandoned. 

While the above movements were in progress General Anthony 
Waj'ne was at the defense of Chadd's Ford, with tliree flehl pieces 
and a howitzer, his army for some time standing firm; but learning 
that the right of their army had been defeated, and seeing some 
British soldiers coming out of the woods on their flank, they also 
retired in disorder, leaving their artillery and munitions to the 



-!\7.' ITS PEOI'LIJ. 219 

Hes.sian geueral. lu their retreat tliey passed behind the position 
of General Greene, Avho still defended the position he had taken, 
and was the last to leave the field. Finally, after a long and 
obstinate conflict, darkness coming on, he also retired, and the 
whole American army retreated that night by different roads to 
Chestei'. The next day Washington's army retired to Philadelphia. 

The losses of the American army in this battle are stated to 
have been 300 killed, GOO wounded and about 400 taken prisoners. 
They also lost ten held pieces and a howitzer. The loss of the 
British was something over 500, the killed being about 100. The 
reason for this great disparity of loss is thought to have been that 
many of the muskets used by the Americans were totally unfit for 
service. In his report to Congress, dated at Chester, twelve o'clock 
at night, September 11, 1777, (xen. Washington stated that he 
believed his loss was uiucli less than that of the enemy. 

While the Amei'icau army was encamped on the Braudywiiie 
th? headquarters of (ien. Washington were in the dwelling of 
Benjamin King, a mile from Chadd's Ford, and the headquarter.'^ 
of Lafayette were at the dwelling of Gideon Gilpin, who was still 
living when Lafayette, who was wounded in the leg during the 
battle of the Braudywine, made his memorable visit to this country 
in 1824 and 1825. Other Frenchmen who participated in this 
battle, whose names are worthy of mention, were Baron St, Ouai'y 
and Captain De Fleury, the latter of whom had a horse killed 
under him, and the fonner being taken prisoner. Count Pulaski, 
a noble Pcde, was also in this battle, and displayed conspicuous 
bravery at the head of the light horse. 

"In the tight at Birmingham Meeting-house a party of tlie 
Americans for a time occupied a position inside the rear wall i>f 
the graveyard. A number of the British fell here. The killed of 
both arinies v.ho fell in the vicinity of the meeting-house were 
buried in the graveyard which partly surrounds it, their remains 
occupying one common grave just inside of the gate and on the 



220 CHESTER COUNTY 

side next tp the meeting-house. The meeting-house was used as a 
hospital while the British army remained in the neighborhood." 

A few days after the battle four or five hundred of the Ameri- 
can wounded were taken to Ephrata, in Lancaster County, and 
placed in a hospital, where the camp fever set in, and this, togetlier 
with the wounds of the soldiers, so baffled the skill of the surgeons 
that one hundred and fifty of tlie soldiers died, a fearful mortality. 
They were principally from Pennsylvania and New England, 
though there were among them a few British soldiers who had 
deserted and joined the Americans. 

The place where Lafayette received his wound was on tlic high 
ground a little northwest of the frame public schoolhouse, and south- 
east of the residence afterAvard occupied by John Bennett. It was 
south of ^^'istar's woods, a lield which for years after the war was 
strewn with musket balls. In his Memoirs, General Lafayette 
says: "La confusion devint extreme, et c'est en ralliant les troub(,^s 
<ine M. de Lafayette eut la jambe traversee d'une balle. A cette 
epoque, tout ce qui restait plia. M. de Lafaj^ette dut a Gimat, 
son aide-de-camp, le bonheur de remonter a cheval." 

The story as to Thomas Cheyney's caiTying the correct infor- 
mation of the movements of Cornwallis' wing of the arm}' to Gen- 
eral Sullivan is thought by some to be wholly apocryphal; but it 
is given on the authority of a "Lady near West Ghester," she 
relating it in a letter to Dr. A. L. Elwyn of Philadelphia. But 
wliether this story is true or false, it appears perfectly clear that 
the false infonnation which led to the abandonment by Gen. 
Washington of his excellent plan for defeating the British army 
in detail, or at least the crushing of the German wing of it under 
Gen. Knyphausen, was conveyed to Gen. Sullivan by Major Spear, 
whom Washington had himself sent out to gain the very informa- 
tion that was needed, and that this false information was trans- 
mitted to Gen. Washington by Gen. Sullivan in time to prevent 
the success of Washington's proposed movement across the Brandy- 



Axn ]T>! pi:()i'Li:. 221 

wine. This false iuformatiou was confirmed bv Sergeant Tucker 
before being forwarded to Wasliiugton. This is all most remark- 
able, for the reason that it was in direct contradiction of Gen. 
Snllivan's opinion of what Gen. Howe would do as a military man, 
and which, in fact. Gen. Howe did do, and it was this unfortunate 
communication of Gen. Sullivan to Gen. Washington that led to 
the loss of the battle of Brandywine, and to many other misfor- 
tunes which folloAved in its wake. 

A considei'able portion of the British army remained in the 
vicinity of the battlefield from the 11th to the morning of the 16th, 
the chief portion about Dilworthtown and south of that place. On 
the 12th a detachment marched to Goncord Meeting-house, where 
it was joined on the 13th by Cornwallis with some light infantry 
and British grenadiers, and soon after Howe moved his anny 
through Chester County toward the Schuylkill Eiver, with the view 
of crossing that river and then taking possession of Philadelphia. 
One of the principal crossing places of that river was at Swede's 
Ford, near the present southern limits of Non-istown, and, as the 
water was deep lower down the Schuylkill, it was expected the 
British army would attempt to cross there or higher up the stream. 
As Washington did not want Philadelphia to fall into the hands 
of the British, he determined to risk another battle, and on the 15tli 
of September left his camp at Germantown, crossed the Schuylkill 
with the main body of his army, and marched up the Lancaster 
road, with the intention of meeting the enemy and giving him 
battle. The British commander, learning that Washington was 
advancing on the Lancaster road, resolved to make an attack upon 
him, and that portion of his army which had been encamped in 
the neighborhood of Village Green left that point on the morning 
of the 16th under Cornwallis, proceeding northward toward the 
Great Valley on the Chester road by the present villages of Glen 
Riddle, Lima and Howellville, and by Eocky Hill and Goshen 
Friends' Meeting-house. 



222 CHESTER COUNTY 

The two armies moved to positions between the White Horse 
and (Joshen meeting-houses, on the high ground soutli of the 
valley, and began making prepai'ations for a battle. To Gen. 
Wayne was assigned the duty of leading and opening the battle, 
and skirmishing began between the advancing forces; but just at 
this time a sudden and violent thunderstorm came up and put an 
end to hostilities for the time being. Theu, after a consultation, 
Washington decided to retire and form on the high ground in the 
Great Valley east of the White Horse, north of the old Lancaster 
road, where he waited until four o'clock in the afternoon for the 
advance of the British army. The point where the above-men- 
tioned skirmishing occurred was one and a half miles north of 
Goshen Meeting-house and about a half mile a little west of south 
of the old "Three Tuns" tavern, where twelve American soldiers 
were killed, a few wounded and some taken prisoners. 

When Cornwallis moved northward from the Village Green 
or Seven Stars, the British forces that had remained in camp near 
the battlefield niovi-d forward under Kiiyi)haus('n by the way of 
Turk's Head, now ^Vest Chester, with the view of uniting with 
Cornwallis. A portion of this force under Brig.-Gen. Matthews 
proceeded from the Turk's Head by the Beading road to the Indian 
King tavern, and thence to the northeastern part of the farm 
occupied by James Dunwoody, near the Ship road, and went into 
camp in order to protect themselves from the rain, while the Hes- 
sian line took the road leading from the Turk's Head to the Boot 
tavern, and proceeded thence uorthAvard toward the Ship tavern. 
On the farm of Daniel Meredith they encountered a detachment ol' 
Americans, with which they had a shaqi skirmish, a few being 
killed on both sides, and some prisoners being taken bj* the Hes- 
sians. This engagement, \\hich A\as likewise interrupted by the 
rain, occurred about the same as the other between Cornwallis' and 
Washington's forces, the two skirmishes being about three miles 
apart. The army of 'S^'ashington retired to the Yellow Springs, 



AND IT>^ PEOPLE. 223 

and there an iuspectiou disclosed the fact that on aeconnt of tlic 
wet condition of the powder there was scarcely a musket in tin- 
army that could be discharged. Washington therefore continued, 
his retreat to Warwick furnace, on the south branch of French 
Creek, where a supply of arms and ammunition was obtained. On 
the ISth of the month the two divisions of the British army, under 
Cornwallis and Knyphausen, united their forces and moved down 
the Lancaster and l?^wede's Ford road into the township of Tre 
dyffrin, encamping at the village of Howellville and between 
that village and Centerville. 

On the 17th Gen. Wayne, with his division of about 1,500 men, 
was ordered to join Gen. Smallwood, in command of the Maryland 
militia, in the rear of the British army, and to seize every oppor- 
tunity to annoy the enemy, to cut off his baggage train, and thus 
arrest his march to the Schuylkill until the Amei'ican armj' under 
Washington could cross the river higher up, pass down the east 
side and thus be in a position to i)revent Gen. Howe from cross- 
ing over. On the 18th Gen. Wayne was encamped about thi'ee 
hundred yards to the eastward of the present Pa(di monument, 
securely concealed, as he believed, from all knowledge of Gen. 
Howe. W^ayne thought that he had taken abundant precautions 
against himself being surprised, and under ordinary circumstances 
such would have been the case, for the British general did not 
knoAv the whereabouts of Wayne's forces; but there were Tories 
in the immediate neighborhood of Wayne's camp, who not only 
knew of his precise locality and the nature of the approaches, but 
who also conveyed all the necessary information to the British 
commander, who at once sent General Grey out to surprise him and 
cut him ofl', and Col. Musgrave with the Fortieth and Fifty-fifth 
regiments was moved up to the Lancaster road in order that if 
necessary he might aid Gen. Grey, and to intercept any of Gen. 
Wayne's troops who might attempt to retreat over that route. 

Gen. Grey marched from his encampment near Howellville 



224 CHESTER COUXTY 

up the Swede's Ford road and massed his troops as near the camp 
of Gen. Wayne as practicable without permitting Wayne to know 
of his approach. Sevei-al of Gen. Wayne's pickets upou the ap- 
proach of the British fired upon them and escaped, but otliers of 
the pickets were silently bayoneted in the darkness, and the livsc 
knowledge Gen. Wayne had of the approach of the enemy was from 
one of the videttes whom he had sent out. Wayne directed Col. 
Humpton, who was second in command, to gain the road leading 
toward the White Horse tavern, and a part of the troops took the 
right road while others took the wrong one, being thus brought 
within the light of their own tires, giving the attacking force a 
most important advantage over them. The artillery had taken the 
right road and were retreating safely. While General Wayne was 
attempted to cover the retreat of the artillery and preparing to 
receive the enemy. Gen. Grey approached his position about one 
o'clock in the morning of the 21st, under cover of the darkness. 
The troops under Wayne fought bravely for a considerable time, 
giving the enemy several close and well directed fires, but were 
soon obliged to retire before largely superior forces. Wayne there- 
upcm immediately flew to the Fourth Regiment, with which he again 
received the enemy's charge, covering the retreat of the rest of his 
line, and after being again compelled to retire he rallied those of 
Col. Humpton's troops that had taken the right road in their re- 
treat about three hundred yards in the rear of the last stand, where 
he formed them ready to renew the conflict. Both i)arties, how- 
ever, withdrew without renewing the contest, and Gen. Wayne re- 
tired to the White Horse tavern, taking with him his artillery and 
ammunition, with the exception of that left upon the field, which 
fell into the hands of the enemy. 

The attack upon Wayne's men was made with the bayonet 
and light swords only, in a most ferocious spirit. Gen. Grey having 
ordered his men to remove the flints from their guns in order that 
not a single shot should be fired. Many were killed after they had 



AXD 77W PEOPLIL 225 

ceased to resist, and even the wounded and sick were killed. It 
was this feature of the attack that has stigmatized the conduct 
of the British in this midnight battle as "barbarity" and "cold 
blooded murder," and which has given to it the title of the "Paoli 
massacre." The loss of the Americans was about one hundred 
and fifty killed and wounded, while the British report a loss of 
onlj- seven or eight, though it is altogether likely that their loss 
was considerably larger. Fifty three mangled bodies were found 
upon the field and decently buried by those living in the vicinity 
of the battlefield on the very spot where now stands the Paoli 
monument. 

Among the killed was Major Marion Lamar, who fell in the 
midst of the British on the retreat, and in honor of this martyr 
in the cause of liberty a township in Chester County Avas given his 
name. This attack upon Wayne's forces enabled General Howe to 
move his army without molestation, that general resuming his 
march on the morning of the 21st, down the road leading to Swede's 
Ford, with the intention of crossing the Schuylkill at that point, 
but as he discoAcred breastworks ou the opposite side of the river 
occupied by Washington's troops, he turned up the river on the 
west side witJi the view of crossing at some of the fords higher 
uj) (ir, as Mr. Peiiuypacker saj's in his "PlHenixville and Its Viciu- 
itj'," he induced Washington to suppose that was his object, or else 
to seize by a sudden movement the deposit of ammunition and 
other stores at Reading. Washington, deceived by this movement, 
hastened up the east bank of the river to the neighborhood of 
Pottsgrove, when Gen. Howe suddenly wheeled his army on the 
23rd of September, marched rapidly down the river and crossed 
with but little opposition at what was then called Gordon's Ford, 
now Phcenixville, and at Fatland Ford, a short distance below, and 
slipped into Philadelphia almost before Washington knew how 
thoroughly he had been deceived, entering that city on the 26tli. 

It will have been seen that the army under General Howe 



226 CHESTER COUNTY 

entered Chester Coimty ou September 9, and left it on the 23rd, 
having been within its then limits, includiuf;' what is now Dela- 
ware County, twelve days. This was the only time during the 
entire period of the Eevolutionary War when a Bi'itish army was 
in the county, though foraging parties were sent out from Phila- 
delphia while the British remained in possession of that city. In 
his "Phoenixville and Its Vicinity" Mr. Pennj'packer says with 
reference to the depredations committed on the people of this 
county by the British army during tliose two weeks: 

"In the course of these maneuvers, on Sunday afternoon, at 
four o'clock, on the 21st of September, 1777, the British army, num- 
bering about 14,000 men, entered Schuylkill Township and en- 
camped along Nutt's road from Fountain Inn to Fatland Ford. 
Tlie English occupied tlie upper side of the road, and upon the 
other side the Hessians were stationed. The headquarters of Gen. 
Knyphausen, commander of the Hessians, was at the house of 
Frederick Buzzard, which, at that time, stood about midway be- 
tween the Corner stores and the Morris woods. The headquarters 
of Gen. Howe were at the house of William Grimes, recently occu- 
pied by John Acre, and the first house below the Bull tavern. 

"No sooner were the men dismissed and ordered to encamp 
than they commenced depredations upon the suiTounding neigh- 
borhood. In a little while every house had been visited. All the 
provisions; clothing, straw and hay that could be found were car- 
ried off, and the cattle and horses were driven away. So com- 
pletely were the people divested of everj^thing which could be 
used in the camp, that they, in many instances, suffered from the 
want of food and clothing. The only means by which anything 
could be retained was by application to the commanding general 
for a guard. Requests of this kind were usually granted. 

"To the residence of Moses Coates, Jr., the Hessians came in 
droves as soon as the army halted, and they continued their in- 
eursions until the next morning, when a guard was obtained. The 




BAYARD TAYLOR. 

GEN. G. FliNNYPACKER. 



GEN ANTHONY WAYNE. 



T. BUCHANAN READ. 
WAYNE McVEAGH. 



AXD /T,s' PEOPLE. 229 

garden, cellar and lai'der were emptied and the ben roosts soon 
made desolate. Among otJier things carried awaj^ was a large 
flock of geese. The last of them, an old gander, was pursued 
through the yard and finally caught around the neck by a huge 
Hessian, who held the bird aloft as he throttled it and cried 
exultingly to the members of his family: 'Dis bees goot for the 
poor Hessian mans.' One of the daughters expressed the hope 
that it would choke him to death, upon which he began to cur^e and 
departed with his prey. 

"The family of Patrick Anderson had been informed of their 
approach, and had removed and secreted as many things of value 
as possible. The bedding and clothing were locked up in the 
bureau drawers and the house was abandoned. The English, 
who knew that Anderson was absent in the American cause, 
broke open the doors of the dwelling and completely destroyed 
everything in it. They pushed the locks off from the bureau draw- 
ers and closets by thrusting their bayonets through the keyholes, 
and took possession of the contents. The furniture, which was in 
good condition, they broke into pieces and used for their fires. 
Mirrors were thrown upon the floor and paintings and others 
articles of vertu, with the single rather remarkable exception of a 
portrait of George Washington, which was left in its place upon 
the wall, were mined. The cattle and sheep were slaughtered and 
the meat was salted and prepared in the parlor for transporta- 
tion. The bloodstains remaining after this butchery could be 
seen upon the floors when the house was removed in 1842. 

"They came to the residence of Matthias Pennypacker in the 
night and ransacked it in the search for provisions and clothing. 
The grain and flour in the mill became a valuable acquisition. 
The mill was at that time new and in excellent order, and to 
prevent its future use they hacked the machineiy and cut the 
bolting cloth into strips. 

"From the Fountain Inn, where William Fussell then lived, 
14 



230 CHESTER COUNTY 

they can-ied away whatever coukl be obtained. In order to secure 
some bed curtains which she considered to have particular value, 
Mistress Fussell wrapped them about her person and covered 
them witli lier dress. Some Hessian women, however, who ac- 
companied the army, having their suspicions aroused, threw the 
lady unceremoniously on the floor, unwound the wrapping from 
about her and made it their spoil. 

"Lord Cornwallis came himself to the house of Benjamin 
Boyer after it had been thoroughly strip^jed. The beehives, for 
preservation, had been carried into a room in the west end of 
the house and covered over with sheets. Cornwallis inquired 
what was concealed there and was informed they were bees. Not 
to be deceived, however, by what he thought to be a subterfuge, 
with an impatient movement he removed the covering. The in- 
sects, already disturbed by their recent trausportiitiou, resented 
the interference by flying into his face and hair, and they probed 
him unmercifully. His lordship beat a hasty retreat. 

"A horse belonging to a son of Moses Coates, then quite a 
youth, was taken from the pasture field and it was known that 
the animal was among the British forces. The youug man went 
to the headquarters of the commanding general and, upon mak- 
ing inquiries of some of the attendants about that officer's per- 
son, received only insolent and taunting replies. He insisted, 
however, upon an interview with their superior and was finally 
shown into Howe's presence. Upon making his errand known he 
was treated politely and detained in conversation. The subject 
of the condition of the American army was adroitly introduced 
and every effort made to elicit information from him. At length 
Howe said to him that he could have his horse if he would go 
over the ►Schuylkill and learn as accurately as he could the num- 
ber of Washington's troops. The offer was rejected, and Howe 
increased it by saying that he would not only return his horse, but 
give him in addition six guineas in gold. The youth replied witli 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 231 

iudiguatiou that he could not be bribed to perform an act so base, 
and when it was found that he would not answer Howe's pur- 
poses he was given permission to search through the camp for his 
horse and to take it away." 

Historians generally agree that one of the greatest difficulties 
with which General Washington had to contend during the en- 
tire period of the Revolutionary War was the fact that when the 
early enthusiasm had in some measure subsided and the war be- 
come a stern reality there was a large number of disaffecte'd people 
always ready to convey correct and valuable information to the 
British commanders but who made it exceedingly difficult for the 
American general to procure reliable information of the movements 
and numbers of the British forces. Had Washington known the in- 
tentions of General Howe in moving northwax'd on the west side 
of the Schuylkill on the 21st of September he might have pre- 
vented Howe's crossing that river, and tiius have saved Phila- 
delphia. In corroboration of this view of the case the following 
letter, taken from the Pennsylvania archives, is here introduced: 

"BOARD OP WAR TO PRESIDENT WHARTON, 

"War Office, October IS, 1777. 
"Sir: * =i^ * * * *■ 

"I am directed to communicate to you for the considera- 
tion of the Committee of Safety that the board have received satis- 
factory information that a great number of the inhabitants of 
Chester County conveyed intelligence and supplied provisions to 
the enemy during their progress through that county and without 
such assistance their attempt upon Philadelphia would, in all 
probability, not have succeeded. These persons can be considered 
in no other light than as traitors to this state and avowed enemies 
to the United States, and therefore the great principle of self- 
preservation requires that the most effectual measures should be 
forthwith pursued to put it out of tlieir power to persist in their 



232 CHESTER COLXTY 

former mal-practices by taking from them such articles of cloth- 
ing and provisions, and of the former particularly shoes, stock- 
ings and blankets, as might serve for the comfort and subsistence 
of the enemy's army, and the acquisition whereof is of absolute 
necessity to the existence of our own. The board, therefoi'e, 
earnestly requests that the Council will with the utmost dispatch 
call forth and send to the county of Chester spirited and detenuiued 
militia under the command of discreet and active officers for the 
purpose of collecting shoes, blankets and stockings for the use of 
the American Army from such of the inhabitants of the said county 
as have not taken the oath of allegiance to the state of Pennsyl- 
vania and have shown their attachment to the cause of the enemy, 
etc. EICHAED PETERS, Sec." 

In accordance with the above suggestion of Richard Peters 
the following resolution of the Council of Safety was adopted at 
Lancaster, October 21, 1777: 

"Ordered.— That Ool. Evan Evans, Col. William Evans, Col. 
Thomas, Col. Gibbons Capt. Thomas Levis, Capt. William Brooks 
and Capt. Jacob Rudolph be authorized and required to collect 
without delay from such of the inhabitants of the county of Chester 
as have not taken the oaths of allegiance and abjuration or who 
have aided or assisted the enemy, arms and accoutennents, blan- 
kets, shoes and stockings for the use of the army, and that they ap- 
praise the same when taken according to their quality, allowing 
at the rate of £3 for a new single blanket, and give certificates of 
the same to the owners, etc. TIMOTHY MATLACK, Sec." 

On October 31, 1777, President Wharton wrote to Col. Cheney 
and Col. Gronow of Chester County to the effect that no time should 
be lost in the embodiment of light horse militia in the county, and 
urged the immediate formation of three or four troops of light 
horse, and that they be put under the command of General Potter. 

Having quietly taken possession of the city of Philadelphia, 
Gen. Howe considered it a good opportunity to move his fleet up 



AXD 1T!< PEOPLE. . 233 

the Delaware to that eitv, aud while he was engaged at this work, 
capturing the fort at Billingsport, and driving awaj' the small gar- 
rison under Col. Bradford, Washington thought he could success- 
fully attack that wing of the British stationed in Germantown. 
The- result was the battle of Germantown, fought October 4, 1777, 
and, through a combination of circumstances favoring the British, 
was won by them, and Washington had to retire from the field. 
After this defeat, and after the junction of his army and that of 
Gen. Gates, who had compelled the surrender of Burgoyne at Sara- 
toga, the combined forces went into camp at Whitemarsh, in Mont- 
gomery County. Here Gen. Howe made several attempts to draw 
the American army out of camp into a battle, but failed to do so, 
and Washington finally decided to go into camp at Valley Forge, 
the sufferings of his army at that place having become most his- 
toric. While the army was thus encamped many of the farm 
houses were selected by its officers for their quarters. Col. Clement 
Biddle was for some time at Moore Hall; Generals Gates and 
Mifflin were at the house of Moses Coates, as were also Colonels 
Davis and Ballard. The house of Edward Lane and also that of 
Jacob Pennypacker were utilized in the same manner by other 
officers, and a company of horse soldiers was stationed at the house 
of Matthias Pennypacker. A number of sick soldiers was taken 
care of at the house of Philip Eapp, two of whom died and were 
buried in the woods. The house of Henry Miller was converted 
into a commissaiw store, and in the barn of David James delin- 
quents, deserters and spies were confined, and were continually 
Avatched by a guard. The old Varley house was converted into 
a hospital, and there was also a large hospital on the farm of Joest 
Smith, Avhere many of the soldiers had the smallpox and camp 
fever. But the largest hospital was erected on some high ground 
in a field of the Gwynn farm, and about the hospital about 1.50 men 
are believed to have been buried. 



234 CHESTER COUNTY 

Many of the farmers in the vicinity were en.G;age(i in teaming 
for the army, most of them voluntarily, others having to be 
impressed. All the rails in the immediate neighborhood, and most 
of the timber, were biirned to keep the army warm. The head- 
quarters of the commanding general were at a stone house on the 
lower side of Valley Creek, only a few yards distant from the Read- 
ing Eailroad, his wife spending tlie winter with him. One very 
cold morning, upon starting away from his house after breakfast, 
Washington passed the sentry standing in front of his house, who 
was stamping his feet and clapping his hands in order to keep 
warm. Washington asked the sentry if he had had anything to eat 
that morning, and on receiving a negative reply, took the soldier's 
musket and stood guard in front of his own house while the soldier 
went inside and ate some breakfast, waited upon by Mrs. Wash- 
ington. 

December 10, 1777, Congress passed a resolution requesting 
the legislature of Pennsylvania to enact a law requiring all per- 
sons at the distance of seventy miles and upward from Washing- 
ton's headquarters and below the Blue Mountains, to thresh out 
their wheat and other grain within a short space of time, to be 
fixed by the legislature in its law, and in case of failure on the 
part of the farmers to comply with the law, to subject the same 
to seizure at the price of straw. The legislature failed to comply 
with this request, but the commander-in-chief, on the 29th of the 
month, issued the following proclamation: 

"By virtue of the power and direction to me especially given, 
I hereby enjoin and require all persons residing within seventy 
miles of my headquarters to thresh out half their grain by the first 
day of February, and the other half by the first day of March, 
next ensuing, on pain in case of failure of having all that shall 
remain in sheaves after the periods above mentioned, seized by 
the commissaries and quartermasters of the army and paid for as 
straw. 



A\l> ITS I'FJU'Li:. 235 

"Given under my hand, at headquarters near the Valley Forge, 
in Philadelphia County, the 20th day of December, 1777. 

"GEO. WASHINGTON." 

There was au outpost of Valley Forge encampment in Radnor, 
on ]ir(»perty subsequently OAvned by Tryou Lewis, on -vvhicli prop- 
erty about seven acres of timber laud was cleared near the middle 
of a large tract of woodland, which was afterward ciiltivated 
and known for many years in the neighborhood as the "camp 
flehl." During nearly all that winter Gen. Wayne's command 
was eucamped at Mount Joy, in Lancaster County, and aided in 
securing supplies for the army at Valley Forge. 

The eucampment at Valley Forge was partly in Chester and 
partly in Montgomery County. That part of it in Chester County 
was iu Tredyft'rin Towushij), iu this township the headquarters of 
Generals Lafayette, Wayne, Knox and Woodford being located. 
Count DuportaiTs hcadciuartcrs were \\\t\\ (leu. Woodford. Gen- 
eral Washington's headquarters were near the mouth of Valley 
Creek, where it empties into the Schu.ylkill River, and on the south 
side of the creek. The winter of 1777-78, during which Washing- 
ton's army remained in camp at Valley Forge, was uncommonly 
severe, and the troops suffered intensely from lack of clothing, 
food aud shelter from the storms aud wintry winds. But their 
patience and fidelity to the cause for which they bore arms was 
sufficient to enable them to bear hardships almost if not quite 
uuparalleled iu the history of Avar. Lafayette, in his old age, 
said of them: "The patience aud endurance of both soldiers and 
officers Avas a miracle Avhich each moment seemed to reneAV." 

Thomas Wharton, iu the name of Pennsylvania, Avrote: "The 
unparalleled patience and magnanimity with which the army 
under your Excellency's command have endured the hardships 
attending their situation, unsupplied as they have been through 
an uucommonly severe Avinter, is an honor which will be consid- 



236 CHESTER COUXTY 

ered as more illustrious than could have been derived to them by 
a victorj^ obtained by any sudden and vigorous exertion." 

Washington's own opinion of his soldiers was thus expressed: 
"Without arrogance or the smallest deviation from truth it may 
be said that no history now extant can furnish an instance of an 
army's suffering such uncommon htirdships as ours has done and 
bearing them with the same patience and fortitude. To see men 
without clothes to cover their nakedness, without blankets to lie 
upon, without shoes (for the want of which their marches might 
be traced by the blood from their feet), and almost as often without 
provisions as with them, marching through the frost and snow, 
and at Christmas taking up their winter quarters within a day's 
march of the enemy, without a house or hut to cover them till 
they could be built, and submitting without a murmur, is a proof 
of patience and obedience which, in my opinion, can scarce be 
paralleled." 

Before taking up other military matters and movements of 
interest to Chester County peojjle as being more or less directly con- 
nected with their history, it will be well to note the various hospi- 
tals used in the county for the benefit of the wounded and sick sol- 
diers after the battle of Brandywiue. General Lafayette was cared 
for by the Moravians at Bethlehem in their great Inn, called the 
Sun. The German Seventh-day Baptists, whigs in sentinuMit, but 
opposed to war, ojjened their monastic institution at Eplirata, Lan- 
caster County, converting {lieir entire establishment into a hospital. 
Joseph Downiug's barn at Downingtown was iised for hospital pur- 
poses, and in the vicinity forty soldiers were buried. The Uwchlan 
Friends' Meeting-house was used as a hospital, as was the old 
school-house at the intersection of the Valley and Brandywine 
roads at the Turk's Head tavern, and also the buildings at Yellow 
Springs, now named Chester Springs, where for a time Washing- 
ton had his headquarters. The wives of Zachariah Bice and Chris- 



.i:v/> iT>i PEori.E. 237 

tian Hench, through their attention to sick soldiers at Yellow 
Springs, contracted typhus fever and died therefrom. 

On the farm of Herman Prizer in East Coventry Township 
there was a barn that was used as a hospital for sick American 
soldiers, and there were many churches and meeting-houses in 
the county which were converted into hospitals, among them being 
the Brandywine Meeting-house, the German Reformed Church in 
East Vincent Township and Zion Lutheran Church, on the Schuyl- 
kill road in East Pikeland Township, which were about one mile 
apart, and which continued to be used during the entire winter 
of 1777-78. Near the East Vincent Church twenty-two of the 
soldiers that died there were buried on grounds belonging to 
Henry Hippie, Sr., and in 1831 steps were taken by the military 
organizations of Chester County to inclose the graves of these 
soldiers and to erect a monument to their memory. The monu- 
ment as erected was a marble pyramid about eight feet high, 
inclosed by a strong wall and standing at the foot of the hill. 
Appropriate inscriirtions were engraved on each of the four sides 
of the monument. The wall beginning to crumble, a committee 
was appointed to make the necessary repairs, the grounds were 
conveyed to trustees, funds were collected and a substantial wall 
erected on three sides of the grounds, containing twelve and thirty- 
seven hundredths square perches, and an iron fence was built in 
front. 

On the llth of Xevember, 1777, the Council of Safety wrote 
from Lancaster to Robert Smith, lieutenant of Chester County, 
advising him to be on the watch for Mr. John James of Philadel- 
phia, who had lately been clandestinely sent out by General 
Howe to promote the views of the invaders. On January 13, 
1778, Jacob Dingee and Richard Strode delivei'ed the body of 
Charles Dingee, late of Chester County, to the Council of Safety, 
to be committed to the gaol of Lancaster County until he should 
take tlie oath or affirmation of allegiance and give security. 



2 38 CHESTER COUNTY 

On April 2, 1778, au order was drawu on the treasurer in 
favor of Stephen Cochran for the sum of £2,000, to be paid to Sam- 
uel Futhey of Chester County, to purchase horses with which to 
mount the cavalry. On the 12th of this month the following 
forfeited estates were noted to be sold: Of Nathaniel Vernon, 
late sheriff of the county; of Curtis Lewis, blacksmith, and of Eich- 
ard Swanwick. On April 22, Col. Andrew Boyd Avrote to President 
Wharton that there was a set of tory horsethieves in the county, 
and he also wrote that in some few instances Quakers insulted 
and even attempted to tire on two different giiards Col. Boyd had 
out collecting' fines. 

On May 0, 1778, commissioners were appointed for Chester 
County, as follows: William Evans, Thomas Cheyney, Thomas 
Levis, Patterson Bell and John Hannum, and on the 8th orders 
were issued that Henry Skyles, Thomas Bulla, David Dawson, 
Jacob James, Joseph Thomas, Nathaniel Vernon, Jr., and John 
Swanwick, all late of the county of Chester, be required to appear 
and abide trial for adhering to the enemy. 

June 15, 1778, a proclamation was issued by the Supreme' 
Executive Council, designating as traitors nearly 500 persons, of 
Avhom sixty-tive were named as then belonging -to or having of 
late belonged to Chester County. 

General Joseph Eeed, who had been elected President of the 
state of Pennsylvania, December 1, 1778, wrote on July 28, 1780, to 
Lieut. Eobert Smith, regarding the j)atriotism manifested by some 
of the peojile of Chester County. He said: "It has been observed 
that less attention has been paid by your county to furnishing vol- 
unteers than any other county in the state. We fear that you 
have not sufficiently attended to tli(> imiiortancc of this duty, as 
Ave cannot suppose the county Avould not exert itself if the officers 
would lead the way. It is unpleasant to suppose that at so critical 
a. season any gentleman in office Avhose exertions are important 
would omit them, but there has certainly been a deficiency in your 
county which we flatter ourselves will be made up," etc. 



A^'D /7'.s' PFOPLE. 239 

Thus challenged by the president of the state, Lieut. Eobert 
Hniith, who was really a capable and patriotic officer, replied as 
follows, on September 4, 1780: 

"Sir: The particular situation of this county under the late 
course of the militia induces me to lay before Council the follow- 
ing state of facts, and to request their advice and instruction 
thereon : 

"Our justices at their session in May last rated the average 
prices of farm labor at |20 per dayas the standard of militia fines. 
This, as I was verballA* informed by the president of the court, 
but no certificate under their hands and seals was received. 
According to this rate the fines for non-attendance on days of 
exercise, the former part of the present year were laid, and four 
companies of the militia were ordered into actual service, were 
marched before the August sessions under the same circumstances. 
Upon the militia being called out they expressed great dissatis- 
faction at their wages being lower than those in the city and other 
counties; and the court, at their August sessions, rated labor at 
|30 per day. And in the interim between the marching of the 
militia and the sitting of the court, some few officers were received 
at the former rate, as money was much wanted for the purpose of 
advancing those who marched; and it is now strongly controverted 
whether we have the right to levy the advanced price of labor 
upon delinquents, as the militia were ordered out and the fines 
incurred before the sitting of the court. It is likewise contended 
by some that as the militia are discharged before the expiration 
of their two months, the fines noAV collected should be propor- 
tioned to the time of service given. I have taken the liberty to 
state these circumstances, and would humbly request the advice 
and instructions of the Honorable Council on the subject, both 
with respect to the fines upon delinquents and the wages of those 
who have marched upon the late call, in order that we may proceed 
in a regular and uniform line of conduct in this matter. 

"ROBERT SMITH." 



240 CHESTER COUXTy 

The extent of the ravages committed by the British army in 
its march thi'ough Chester County Avas very great. It is not 
deemed necessary in this worii to present a detailed statement 
of the hisses of individuals, that having been done in a pretty 
thorougli manner by Messrs. Futhey and Cope, in their "History of 
Chester County;" lience only the summary of losses by townships 
will bo given, which is altogether likely considerably within the 
limit of truth, as umuy people made no return of losses in any 
way. That n-capituhitiou is as follows: 

TOWNSHIPS. PERSONS. 

New Garden S 

Oxford 1 

Xew Lciiidoii 2 

Londougrove 1 

Kennett i 

East Marlborough -4 

Xewliu 4 

West Marlborough 5 

West Bradford 5 

East Bradford 1 

Peunsbury 12 

Birmingham 20 

Thorubury tl 

WesttoM u 4 

Goshen 20 

^^■i^isT^wu 13 

Easttown 17 

West Wliiteland 10 

East Whiteland 18 

Tredyffriu 30 

Charlestown 15 

Pikeland 1 



AMOUNTS. 


£ 


s 


D 


951 




8 


500 








Hi 


9 





451 


1 


6 


1,302 


1 


5 


109 


4 


6 


213 


12 


6 


225 


4 





583 


9 


o 


125 


5 





894 


o 


9 


5,844 


C 


7 


787 


IS 


1 


1G9 





10 


2,372 


13 


8 


636 


18 


4 


420 


7 


G 


1,116 


14 


4 


1,415 


14 


10 


9,358 


13 


10 


1,967 


3 


o 


252 


7 


6 



AND /7'.S' PEOPLE. 241 



East Nantmeal 1 

Coventry 1 

West Cain 2 

Chester 31 

Chichester 1 

Aston 6 

Concord 12 

Marple 3 

Newtown 3 

Eidley 6 

Edgemout T 

Haverford 22 

Darby 26 

Radnor 29 



200 








18 








88 








2,742 


12 





87 


17 


6 


1,245 


2 


9 


961 


9 


6 


217 


1 


11 


86 


3 


3 


639 


17 


10 


504 


16 





1,733 


1 


3 


1,475 


18 


2 


1,499 


9 






363 41,372 6 10 
This sum was equal to .^110,326.24. Among the items of loss 
were 318 horses, 546 cattle, 1,480 sheep, 580 hogs, 9,062 bushels of 
wheat, 2,324 bushels of rye, 2,881 bushels of Indian corn, 775 
bushels of buckwheat, 4,287 bushels of oats, and about 550 tons 
of hay. 

The capitulation of Cornwallis at Yorktown, October 29, 1781, 
not only gladdened the hearts of all patriots throughout the coun- 
try, but was the beginning of the end of the war. The treaty 
acknowledging the independence of the United .States was signed 
November 30, 1782, and on January 20, 1783, the preliminary 
treaty of peace was signed. On April 11, following. Congress 
issued a proclamation enjoining a cessation of hostilities, and 
on the 16th of the same month the Supreme Executive Council 
announced at the court-house the happy event. And thus at 
length the long strife and unhappy war were brought to an end. 
But not so the feelings engendered by differences of attitude, nor 
the difficulties and settlements that were necessarily of longer con- 
tinuance. 



242 CHESTER COUNTY 

After the movement in favor of independence of the colonies 
was fairly launched upon the great ocean of events, there were 
within each of the colonies at least three classes of people, with 
regard to their relations to this movement. First of these classes 
may be enumerated the Patriots, or those who believed in, fought 
for and sustained, if they did not actually fight for, the move- 
ment; second, those who opposed independence, aiding in every 
Avay in their power the effort of what they considered the mother 
country to suppress the rebellion against her authority; and third, 
those who remained in motive and in action neutral, permitting 
the other two parties to fight the battle to the end ; that is, per- 
mitted the attempted suppression of the rebellion to go on with 
the aid of the second class, who were called tories, while the first 
class were called whigs. The neutral class was composed in the 
main of members of the Society of Friends, who could not engage 
in war, on account of their conscientious and religious scruples 
against bearing arms. The whigs, liowever, could uot in those 
active times distinguish between the active participants on the 
side of the Crown, that is, the tories, and the non-participants 
on eitlier side; but regarded all who did not take an active part 
in the establishment of independence as having been enemies, and 
called both the secoiid and third class tories alike, under the famous 
saying: He that is not for me is against me. 

It is not necessary now to present an analysis of the motives 
of the individual members of any one of these three classes of 
men. It is sufdcient to know and to admit that generally speaking 
all men of all classes were conscientious in the course they took. 
But the sad fact has always existed that it is possible for men to be 
strictly honest and conscientinus and at the same time wrong, 
and it is altogether probable that this will always be true. Men 
have always been divided on all questions — political, religious, his- 
torical, sociological and even scientific ones, and it appears to be 
correct to say that every opinion has a right to life, liberty and 



AM) /7W PEOPLE. 243 

the pursuit of happiness, as well as men, if it can only convince 
the world that that right exists. Then it is perhaps true that no 
system of religious or political thought is entirely without some- 
thing that is unreasonable, and hence it follows that each and 
every class of men should look with charity upon what they 
consider the frailties of all the other classes; and first "pull the 
beam out of their own eyes before they attempt to pluck the- 
mote out of their brother's eyes.'" 

After the victory was won it was perfectly natural that the 
state of feeling toward those who had activeh' or passively 
opposed the patriot war should find expression, as it did in such 
resolutions as follow: 

"At a meeting of the officers and other respectable inhabitants 
(jf the Fifth Battalion district, Chester County Militia, at the house 
f)f James Miles, in East Cain Township, on the 19th of June, 1783, 
Lieut.-Col. John Gardner in the chair, 

"Resolved unanimously. That in the opinion of this com- 
pany it is inconsistent with reason, justice and sound policy that 
such persons, of every description, as have deserted their country 
in the time of its calamities, and distress, and joined our enemies, 
or who have, by a conduct inimical to the Government and laws 
of their country, been obliged to fly to them for refuge, should 
ever be permitted to return or remain amongst us, to participate- 
in the blessings of that Freedom and Independence, now so happily 
established, and which they have done all in their power to deprive- 
us of; 

"Resolved, 2ndly, That we highly approve the laudable exam- 
ple of the officers of the militia of the City and Liberties of Phila- 
delphia, and will cheerfully concur with them in carrj-ing their 
patriotic resolves into execution. 

"Resolved, Srdiy, That we will join with others of the com- 
munity in instructions to our Representatives in Assembly upon 
the subject, and in the meantime use our utmost endeavors and 



244 CHESTER COUNTY 

iufluence to prevent the return of any of those enemies to their 
country'; and that we will consider all persons who connive at, 
harbor or entertain them as unworthy the character of Free citi- 
zens, and justly liable to the displeasure and resentment of all 
true Patriots and Friends of Liberty. 

"Resolved, 4thly, That the proceedings of this meeting; be 
communicated to the several and respective battalions of the militia 
in this county as soon as possible, for their concurrence, and like- 
wise published in the Philadelphia newspapers. 

"Resolved, Sthly, That a committee of five be appointed to 
correspond with and meet committees that may be appointed from 
the other battalions in this county, to draw up a set of instruc- 
tions to our Representatives in Assembly, on this subject. The 
persons chosen, Colonel John Gardner, Major John Culbertson, 
Mr. Samuel Cunningham, Col. Robert Smith and Mr. John Beaton. 

"Signed by order of the company, 

"JOHN GARDNER, Chairman." 

"At a meeting of the officei's of the Seventh Battalion of tlu' 
Chester County Militia, at the house of Ezekiel Webb, in the town- 
ship of Kennett, on Saturday, the 26th of July, 1783, Lieutenant- 
Colonel Isaac Taylor in the chair. 

"Whereas, During the late cruel and unjust war waged against 
these United States by the King of Great Britain, a number of 
persons, lost to all sense of honor and virtue, have deserted their 
country, joined her enemies and used every means in their power 
to distress and enslave us. And whereas (our struggles for liberty 
have beeen successful and their cruel designs frustratd), there is 
every reason to fear that these pe(jple Avill endeavor to insinuate 
themselves into these states: Therefore, to prevent this slate from 
being a harbor for villains of every denomination, 

"Resolved, unanimously, That we Avill use our utmost endeav- 
ors to prevent persons of the above description from settling 
Avithin the limits of this Battalion. And we hereby pledge our- 







3 
■J 

> 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 247 

selves to each other, to unite and stand by each other, in expelling 
them from amongst us. And as there is reason to think that some 
of the aforesaid persons are harbored amongst us; Therefore, 

"Resolved, unanimously, That we will hereafter inquire into 
the chai'acter, and examine every suspicious person that comes 
within our knowledge, and that we will assist each other in appre- 
hending and securing them, that they may be brought to justice; 
and that we will unite in the bringing to condign punishment all 
persons who aid, abet or harbor any of the said persons. 

"Eesolved, unanimously, 3rd, That we will concur with other 
battalions of this county in instructing our Representatives in 
Assembly, agreeably to the*above resolutions; and that Colonel 
Isaac Taylor, Major John Craig, Peter Bell and Captains William 
Whiteside and Absalom Baird be appointed as a committee to meet 
committees which may be appointed from the other battalions in 
this countj', to draw up said instructions. 

"Resolved, 4th, That these resolutions be published in the 
Philadelphia newspapers. 

"Signed by order of the meeting, 

"ISAAC TAYLOR, Chairman." 

Col. Robert Smith, mentioned above as lieutenant of Chester 
County, was appointed March 12, 1777, and served until March 
21, 1785. His sub-lieutenants were Lewis Gronow, Thomas Straw- 
bridge, Thomas Cheyney, Andrew Boyd, Robert Wilson, Thomas 
Wilson and Benjamin Brannan. The militia of the county was 
divided into eight classes, and when a class was called out many 
failed to respond, and it was necessary to make the deficiency 
good by hiring substitutes, procured by means of a bounty paid 
by the state, which was to be remunerated by fines imposed on 
delinquents and ranging from £15 to £50. 

Following is a statement of the amount of fines received by 
Col. Robert Smith and his sub-lieutenants from March 1, 1780, 
to April 1, 1783: 
15 



248 CHESTER COUXTY 

CONTINENTAL MONEY. STATE MONEY. SPECIE. 

NAMES. £ go £ S D £ s D 

Kobert Smith 155,336 17 7 07 8 7 1,028 10 8 

Lewi.s Grouow 97,712 17 G 10 405 10 9 

Andrew Boyd 27,634 15 4 

Thomas Levis 89,915 14 9 110 3 6 701 7 

Kobert Wilson 30,075 IC 8 6 15 18G 11 3 

Thomas Cheyney 100,279 14 9 410 8 3 

506,955 10 7 185 7 1 2,732 13 11 

The methods of the patriots in dealing with traitors are clearly 
shown by the following proceedings: On August 1, 1779, an adver- 
tisement appeared in the Philadelphia papers to the effect that 
whereas the estates of Joseph Galloway, Nathaniel Vernon, Gideon 
Vernon, David Dawson, Eichard Swanick, William Maddock, Alex- 
ander Bartman, Curtis Lewis, Philip Marchiuton and Joshua Proc- 
tor, late of Chester Coimty, having been by due process of law for- 
feited and seized to the use of this State, we the subscribers, 
agents for the said county, do hereby give notice that the planta- 
tions heretofore belonging to the above-named persons, which are 
well watered and wooded, will be sold by public vendue on Satur- 
day, the 4th day of September next. 

Signed, THOMAS LEVIS AND JOHN HANNUM. 

The estate of Joseph Galloway, thus offered for sale, contained 
422 acres; that of Nathaniel Vernon, 244 acres; that of George 
Vernon, 113 acres, all of them lying near the village of Chester; 
that of David Dawson, 450 acres, in the township of West Cain; 
that of Richard Swanick, 300 acres; that of William Maddock, 80 
acres; that of Alexander Bartram, 90 acres, his place being known 
by the name of "Fox Chace;" that of Curtis Lewis, 403 acres, a 
part of which was near the Ship tavern; that of Philip Marchiuton, 
400 acres, and that of Joshua Proctor, 80 acres, located in New 
Garden Township. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. ■ 249 

At least oue of the above-named individuals was hanged on 
attainder for treason, viz.: David Dawson, who was executed on 
tlie commons in Philadelphia, November 25, 1780, which fact was 
so stated in a letter by Hon. George Bryan to Hon. James Irwin 
of Philadelphia, the letter being dated October 20, 1784. 

In a report to President Eeed, dated in 1781, sent by John Shee 
and Jacob Morris, it was stated that up to that time the amount of 
sales of forfeited estates in Chester County was £128,030 14s. 7d., 
the commissions on which amoimted to £3,991 2s. 

As supplementary to the fact of the sale of forfeited estates 
it should be mentioned that children were not always deprived 
of their inheritances because of the treason of their parents. An 
act was passed by the legislature of Pennsylvania, October 6, 1779, 
in behalf of Thomas Yeruon, Job Vernon, a captain of the Fifth 
Pennsylvania regiment of Continental troops; Franklin Vernon, 
a major of the Eighth Pennsylvania regiment of the Continental 
troops, and John Vernon, all of them being children of Nathaniel 
Vernon, late of Chester County, one of the persons attainted of 
high treason by the laws of I'ennsylvania, who showed by their 
petition that no matter how guilty their father might have been 
of the crime which occasioned the forfeiture of his estate, yet that 
the petitioners had every one of them demeaned themselves as 
good citizens, tAvo of them having served in the army of Penn- 
sylvania and having thus aided in establishing the cause of free- 
dom, and they therefore prayed that they might not be reduced 
to indigence on account of their father's crime or transgressions, 
and they asked that his estate subject to his debts might be vested 
and established in themselves. The law passed in accordance with 
and in answer to their petition gave to them all the estate of their 
father, except what had already been sold in accordance with the 
act of attainder, and such as was not needed to pay his just debts. 

The (jfficers of the several battalions of militia of Chester 
County, and the number of men in each battalion, were as follows: 



250 CHESTER COIXTY 

1st.— Lieut.-Col., Thomas Bull; Major, Peter Hartman; uuni- 
ber of men, 672. 

2ncl.— Lieut.-Col., John Bartholomew; IMajor, Cromwell 
Pearce; number of men, 873. 

3r(l,_Lieut.-Col., George Pierce; Major, Edward Vernon; num- 
ber of men, 510. 

4th.— Lieut.-Col., Richard Willing-; Major, William Brooke; 
number of men, 670. 

5th.— Lieut-Col., John Gardner; Major, John Culbertson; num- 
ber of men, 623. 

6th. — Lieut.-Col., David McKey; Major, Samuel Evans; number 
of men, 484. 

7th. — Lient.-Col., Isaac Taylor; Major, John Craig. 

8th. — Lieut.-Col., Joseph Speer; Major, John Boyd; number 
of men, 570. 

The captains who served at different times in the above bat- 
talions were as follows: Thomas Carpenter, Joseph Mendenhall, 
William Whiteside, Joseph Luckey, Hugh Eeed, John Boyd, John 
Bryan, David Curry, Robert Curry, Thomas Taylor, Joseph John- 
ston, Sampson Thomas, Jonathan Rowland, Evan Anderson, Wil- 
liam Harris, Isaac Thomas, Alexander Lockart, John Craig, 
Thomas Levis, John Flower, Jonathan Veimon, John Lindsey, 
Edward Vernon, John Pitts, Mordecai Morgan, Joseph Bogg, John 
Fleming, and others whose Christian names are not at hand, as 
follows: Cypher, Wilson, Hister, Boylan, Morrell, Moore, Smith, 
Cochran, Henry, Marsh, McCloskey, Quin, Kirk, Price, Kemp, 
Pierce, Huston, Dunning, Allen, Graham, Denny, Barker, Elton, 
Scott, Beatty, Griffith, Carroll, Hollman, Brumback, Barber, Sny- 
der, Evry, Cummings, Jenkins, Kincaid, Corby, Hays, Williamson, 
Blackburne, Colby, Ramsay, McKee, Fulton, Evans, Black, Ram- 
age and Strode.* 

On July 1, 1776, there was a meeting held at the house of Rich- 
ard Cheyney, in Dowuingtown, of the Chester County committee, at 



AM) ITS PEOPLE. 251 

wiiicli the following appointments were made of officers in the 
battalion of Chester County Flying Camp: 

Captains. — Joseph Gardner, Samiiel Wallace, Samuel Culbin- 
son, James Boyline, John McDowell, John Shaw, Matthew Boyd 
and John Beaton. 

First Lieutenants. — William Henry, Andrew Dunwoody, 
Thomas Henry, Benjamin Culbiuson, Samuel Lindsay, Allen Cun- 
ningham, Joseph Strawbridge and Joseph Bartholomew. 

Second Lieutenants. — Robert Filsou, William Lockard, 
Thomas Davis, Samuel Hamill, Jeremiah Cloud, Joseph Wherry, 
David Curry and Alexander McCarragher. 

Ensigns. — William Cunningham, John Grardtrencher, John 
Filling, Andrew Curry, Thomas James, Lazarus Finney, Archibald 
Desart and John Llewellyn. 

That there were in Chester County, as in other counties in all 
of the colonies, men who were opposed to the war for independence, 
can neither be denied nor doubted, and hence it may be permiss- 
ible to briefly discuss the question as to why thej- maintained 
the position which they did. This position was the same as that 
which for a long time was maintained by the several conventions, 
assemblies and legislatures of the colonies, and even by the Con- 
gress itself, down to the time of the Declaration of Independence, 
they all apparently preferring and hoping for an honorable adjust- 
ment of the difficulties then existing between the colonies and 
Great Britain, a redress of grievances, the difference being that 
those who are now, and have ever since been, called "Tories," 
adhered to that position all through the war, while the patriots 
became convinced that there could be no redress of grievances 
while they remained loyal to the crown. The tories feared that 
no government could be established in this country that would 
ever be sufficiently strong to preserve order, to protect the citizens 
against mobs and anarchy. That all parties were equally honest 
and conscientious in their convictions is now almost universally 



2 52 CHESTER COUXTY 

conceded. But it is altogether likely that the tory part of the 
popnlatiou, in addition to their hesitancy to taking up arms against 
Great Britain for the reason above given, also feared any move- 
ment looking toward independence would certainly be crushed 
out by the arms of the mother country; while the i^atriots were 
willing to take the risk of success in war. No one could with any 
degree of certainty foresee the end. That the issue was for years 
doubtful is of course well known, and this fact must ever be a 
partial justification for the hesitancy of the tory in attempting 
to expel Bi'itish power from the country. 

The situation of the tory after the war he had opposed had 
been brought to a successful termination was anything but an 
enviable one. The accounts of the meetings of the militia of Ches- 
ter Count}', and the proceedings of the courts in the conviction of 
individuals of treason, their execution and the confiscation of 
their estates, proves this fact abundantly. The state of doubt in 
the mind of the tory as to what was best for him to do in the face 
of persecution, to which he was frequently subjected for years 
after the war had closed, is well expressed in the following parody 
on Hamlet's soliloquy, doubtless written by some patriot poet of 
the times: 

THE TORY'S SOLILOQUY. 

"To go or not to go?" that is the question! 
Whether 'tis best to trust the inclement Ksky, 
That scowls indignant o'er the dreary Bay 
Of Fundy, and Cape Sable's rock and shoals, 
And seek our new domains in Scotia's wilds, 
Barren and bare; — or stay among the Kebelsl 
And, by our stay, raise up their keenest rage, 
That, bursting o'er our now defenseless heads, 
Will crush us for the countless wrongs we've done them. 
Hard choice; »Stay, let me think, T'explore our Avay 
Through raging seas to Scotia's rocky coast, 



.l.\V> /7'N I'I'JU'IJ:. 253 

At this dire season of this direful year 

Where scarce the sun affords a cheerful rav, 

Or stay and cringe to the rude, surly whigs, 

Whose wounds, yet fresh, may urge their desperate hand 

To s]»urn us Avliile we sue — perhaps consign us 

To the Icind care of some outrageous mob, 

Who, for their si>ort, our persons may adorn 

In all the majesty of tar and feathers; 

Perhaps our necks, to keep their humor warm, 

May grace a rebel halter! There's the sting! 

This peoijles the bleak clime — for who can brook 

A rebel's frown; or bear his children's stare 

When in tlie streets they point, and lisp, "A Tory," etc.* 

But now, while looking upon the entire question in a calmer 
and more philosophical spirit than was then possible for any one, 
and while we cheerfully grant honesty and conscientious con- 
viction to all, including the poor, despised tory, yet we must 
ourselves have convictions as to the merits of the positions assumed 
by each of the several parties to the contest, as well as of those 
Avho refused to range themselves on either side. The patriots 
established for themselves, for their immediate descendants, and 
it is to be hoped for all generations to come, a f(n"m of government 
under which a resort to arms for the purpose of securing a redress 
of grievances has been so far, is now and must continue to be so 
long as that form of government shall remain, not only unneces- 
sary, but even wicked and criminal in the highest degree. While 
it may be true, as we are occasionally told, that sometimes in all 
places, and perhaps at all times in some places, a portion of the 
people suffer from grievances equal to or even greater than any of 
which in 17T(! the patriots complained, yet under the form of gov- 
ernment they established, the people can, if a majority of them so 



* Published in November, 1783. 



2 54 CHESTER COUNTY 

desire, quietly remove those grievances, by the simple process of 
resorting to an election, which shall come at the end of a campaign 
carried on in a reasonable manner, during which the people may 
become convinced that they do really suffer from the grievances 
of which perhaps only a few at first complained, and by which 
election the majority place in power in the municipality, or county, 
or state, or nation, men of the same views and convictions with 
themselves. All that is required on the part of the people is a clear 
knowledge of what they themselves complain, and of the proper 
remedy to be applied; and in addition to this knowledge, virtue, 
intelligence, sound judgment, cultivated reason and self control. 
The institutions of government which, in order that they may be 
operated successfully, require such qualities of heart and mind as 
here enumerated, are most admirably calculated to develop in 
man the Ycry qualities themselves, and it is this that makes 
so conspicuous the wisdom of the Fathers of the Revolutionary 
times, who founded and established the most perfect republican 
form of government that has so far been established in the world. 

September 20, 1817, the Republican Artillerists of Chester 
County, aided by their fellow-citizens, erected a monument over 
the remains of those killed at Paoli, September 20, 1777, by the 
British soldiers under Gen. Grey. On that occasion an address 
was delivered by Major Isaac D. Barnard, and an account of the 
massacre was given by Rev. David Jones, who was chaplain of 
Gen. Wayne's ill-fated army at the time of the massacre, and who 
at the time of the erection of the monument was in his eighty-, 
second year. Col. Isaac Wayne, son of Gen. Wayne, was present 
at the time. This monument stood in Willistown Township, less 
than half a mile southwest of Malvern. 

On the one hundredth anniversay of the massacre a new 
monument was erected at this place, the old one having become 
injured and defaced to a great extent. On this occasion there were 
present from 8,000 to 10,000 persons, one of the largest gatherings 



AXD 77'N PEOPLE. 255 

ever known in the history of the county. On this occasion Capt. 
William Wayne, a great-grandson of Gen. Anthony Wayne, was 
I^resent, the captain having been an officer in the Union army dur- 
ing the Eebellion. This new monument is of Quincy granite, 
twenty-two and a half feet high, and a well-proportioned, chaste 
and beautiful obelisk. The jiolished die bears on its four sides 
appropriate inscriptions, those on the west, north and south sides 
having been written by Dr. William Darlington, the master spirit 
in the erection of the first monument in 1817, as Dr. Wood was 
in the erection of this in 1ST7, he being the principal mover in the 
entire enterprise, including the raising of the money. 

On the occasion of the dedication of the new monument in 
1877, Governor John F. Hartranft and his staff were in-esent. The 
meeting was organized by Dr. J. B. Wood of Westchester, at 12 
o'clock, who named as president, Hon. Washington Townsend, 
and numerous vice-presidents and secretaries. The exercises were 
then conducted in the following order: 

1. Delivery of the monument by Mr. Yan Gunden, on behalf 
of Messrs. Van Gunden, Young & Drumm, of Philadelphia, the con- 
tractors for the construction of the monument, to the committee. 

2. Eecejition of the monument on behalf of the committee by 
Capt. Eobert T. Cornwell. 

3. Presentation of the monument by Dr. Wood on behalf of 
the committee to the president, Hon. Washington Townsend, for 
dedication. 

4. Dedicatory address of the president. 

5. Unveiling of the monument by Dr. Wood. 

G. National salute of thirty-eight guns by the Griffen battery. 

7. Prayer by Rev. Joseph S. Evans. 

8. Historical address by J. Smith Futhey. 

9. Oration by Hon. Wayne MacYeagh. 
10. Benediction by Rev. Mr. Elliott. 

The military and citizens then formed in line and marched 



2 56 CIIEfiTEli COrXTY 

round the monument to the solemn musie of the bands and the low 
roll of the muffled drums, which completed the exercises of the 
day, a day long to be remembered by those who participated in the 
<-eremonies. 

The inscriptions on the Pour sides of this monument are as fol- 
lows: 



West Side: 



North Side: 



South Side: 



"Sacred 

to the memory of the 

PATRIOTS 

Avlio on this spot 

fell a sacrifice to 

British barbarity 

during the struggle for 

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE 

on the night of the 

20tli of September, 1777." 

"THE ATROCIOUS MASSACRE 

which this stone commemorates 

was perpetrated 

by British troops 

under the immediate command 

of 
MAJOR GENERAL GREY." 

"Here repose 

the remains of fifty-three 

AMERICAN SOLDIERS, 

who were the 

victims of cold-blooded cruelty 

in the well-known 

'MASSACRE AT PAOLI,' 



.l.\7> /7'.s' PEOPLE. 257 

while under c-ommand of 

GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE, 

an oflficer 

whose military conduct, 

bravery and humanity 

were equally conspicuous 

throughoiit the 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR." 



East Side: 



"Erected by the citizens of 

Chester and Delaware Counties, 

September 20, 1877, being 

THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

of the Paoli Massacre." 

"The other inscriptions on this monument are 

copied from 

the memorial stone 

formerly standing here, 

which was erected by 

the Republican artillerists, 

and other citizens of 

Chester County, 
September 20, 1817." 

THE WHISKY INSURRECTION. 

What is known as the "Whisky Insurrection" broke out in 
1791, in the western part of Pennsylvania, while Washington, 
was President of the United States. It was confined to the coun- 
ties of Fayette, Washington, Allegheny and Westmoreland. Tur- 
bulent proceedings continued in these counties for several years 
prior to 1791, in which year measures were taken both by the 
state of Pennsylvania and the government of the tlnited States to 
restore peace. Governor Thomas Mifflin, on the 6th of August, 



2 58 CHESTER COUNTY 

appointed Chief Justice M'Kean and General William Irvine to 
proceed immediately to these western counties to ascertain the 
facts relative to the riots that had then lately taken place, and on 
the next day President Washington issued a proclamation of 
warning, commanding all insurgents, on or before the 1st day nf 
September to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective 
homes. By this proclaiuation the President also directed the 
laising of troops, which were to be held in readiness to march 
at a moment's warning. The quotas of the states from which 
troops were called out, were as follows: 

STATES. INFANTRY. '^''IJt^,^' '^^T'^' TOTAL. 

Pennsylvania 4,500 500 200 5,200 

New Jer.sey 1,500 500 100 2,100 

Maryland 2,000 200 150 2,350 

Virginia 3,000 300 ... 3,300 

11,000 1,500 150 12,950 

On the same day Governor Mifflin issued a proclamation 
similar to that issued by the President of the United States, direct- 
ing the quota of the State to be armed and equipjjed as soon as 
possible. Of the 5,200 troops reqiiired of the State, Chester County 
was required to furnish 378, to be drawn from the First Brigade 
of the Third Division of the militia. The entire body of state 
ti'oops was to be under the command of Major-General William 
Irvine, and was to be divided into three brigades, the first brigade 
to be under the command of Brig.-Gen. Thomas Proctor, and to 
include the Chester County troops. When the command to secure 
these troops had been given, the Governor himself paid a visit 
to West Chester to aid in raising them, his intiueuce being imme- 
diately felt, and the county's quota was quickly raised. At that 
time Joseph McClellan was sheriff of the county. He had been a 
captain of infantry during the greater jjovtion of the Eevolution- 



AND rn<i Pfjoi'Li:. 259 

ary War in Geu. Anthonj- Wayne's army, and when the difficulty 
arose over the excise tax on wliisky in the western part of the 
State he was soon at the head of a troop of cavalry, and Aaron 
Musgrave was at the head of a company of artillery. Upon the 
organization of the troops into regiments Capt. McClellan became 
major of the regiment to which his companj^ was assigned, and 
Thomas Taylor became captain of the comijany in his stead. 

This "Whisky Insurrection" was a resistance to the execution 
of the excise laws passed by the congress of the United States, 
which were designed to take the place of similar laws by the 
different colonies; as under the constitution of the United States, 
"All duties, imjiorts and excises shall be uniform throughout the 
United States.'' While it will scarcely be expected that in this 
w'ork a full history of the legislation in Pennsylvania which 
affected the minds of the people toward excise laws and which 
led up to this insurrection, yet that legislation must be mentioned 
and the reader referred thereto for a full and clear understanding 
of the conllict between the people and the Government resulting 
therefrom. The people in the Western counties of this State, within 
the confines of which the opposition to the excise laws so strongly 
manifested itself, were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and had heard 
of the oppressions and exactions that had been suffered in the 
old country, under precisely such laws as they were then opposing. 
They also remembered that the colonies themselves had rebelled 
against England a few short years before, in part on account of 
the stamp act and the duty on tea, they themselves having taken 
active and honorable part in said rebellion, and hence they could 
not understand how it was that the new government of the United 
States should so soon after resisting with all their power the 
■enforced use of royal stamps and the payment of the duty on tea, 
attempt to impose upon her own inhabitants precisely the same 
kind of injustice, even though the duty was on whisky instead 
of on tea. 



26o CHESTER COUNTY 

While the insurgents, from the peculiar circumstances in 
which they were situated aud by which they were surrounded, 
had some show of reason on their side, yet on the whole that pro- 
vision of the constitution of the United States under which the 
excise laws were passed that caused this outbreak was wise and 
necessary, and the government had no recourse biit to suppress 
the insurrection, which it did under the connuand of President 
<s Washington, and it was discovered by all concerned in the incipient 
rebellion as well as by those who were merely interested spectatoi's 
from a distance that the Government of the United States was a 
fixed and established institution, which could not safely be resisted 
by any State or part of a State, simply because its laws were 
distasteful to the people of such State or part of State. 

The officers of the several companies sent out from Chester 
County at this time were as f(dlows: Captain, Aaron Musgrave; 
Philip McAffi-y, first lieutenant, aud William Culbertson, clerk. 
The captain, first lieutenant and several of the men of this com- 
pany were from West Chester, the number of men voting for their 
officers being thirty-six. 

Another company made up of men mostly from Tredyffrin 
Township contained thirty-three men, including officers, who were: 
Captain, John Parker; first lieutenant, John Lewis, and clerk^ 
David Craig. 

Captain Joseph McClellan's comapny of light dragoons con- 
tained thirty-nine men, including the officers, who were voters, and 
who elected Joseph McClellan captain, Thomas Taylor first lieu- 
tenant and Joseph Moore clerk. The entire number of men in this 
company was fifty-four. 

Captain George Wersler's company contained thirty voters,, 
who elected the officers, Daniel Shimer being first lieutenant and 
Yost Smith clerk, and there were fifty-two others in this company. 

Captain Harris' company contained fortj-one votei's, who 
elected William Harris captain, Stephen Bowen first lieutenant 
and Thomas J. BoAven clerk. 



AM) ITS PEOPLE. 261 

Captain Alexandei' Steri'ett's company contained twenty-two 
voters, who elected, in addition to their captain, Samuel McClellan 
first lieutenant and Jesse Mason clerk. 

Captain William Weston's company contained sixteen voters, 
who elected, in addition to their captain, William Ploughman first 
lieutenant and Charles llowell cleric. 

Captain Isaac Lewis's company contained twenty-six voters, 
who elected, in addition to their captain, Alexander Nesbit first 
lieutenant and Robert Darlington clerk. 

Captain Arthur Andrews' company elected Ebenezer Kennedy 
first lieutenant and -J. Montgomery clerk. This company contained 
forty-four voters. 

GENERAL LAFAYETTE'S VISIT TO CHESTER COUNTY. 

One of the most interesting and historic events connected 
with the name of any individual was the visit in 1825 of Lafayette 
to the county. This visit to the United States was made by the 
general in response to an invitation authorized by Congress and ex- 
tended in 1824: by the President of the United States. Accom- 
panied by his son, George Washington Lafayette, and his private 
secretary, Lafayette landed in New York on August 15, 1821, 
and the news of his arrival reached West Chester on the 17th. A 
meeting was called to be held at the court-house, of which Colonel 
.Joseph McClellan, who had served in the Continental army under 
Lafayette as a captain, was made chairman and General Isaac D. 
Barnard secretary. Judge Darlington delivered a short speecli and 
offered a resolution to the effect that a meeting of the citizens be 
held at the court-house on Saturday, August 27, "to make ar- 
rangements for a suitable reception of that venei'able patriot and 
friend of freedom," if he should be induced to visit Chester County. 

At the meeting held August 27 Hon. Isaac Darlington was 
made chairman and John W. Cunningham secretary, and a com- 
mittee was appointed consisting of Colonel Joseph McClellan, 



262 CHESTER COUNTY 

Colonel Jacob Humphrey, Colonel Isaac Wayne, Dr. Jacob Ehreu- 
zeller. Colonel Cromwell Pearce, General Isaac D. Barnard, General 
John W. Cunningham, Dr. William Darlington, General Joshua 
EA'ans and Abram Baily, to wait upon the general immediately 
upon his arrival in Philadelphia and invite him to honor Chester 
County by a visit and to also visit the battle-field of the Brandy- 
wine. 

When it was learned tliat General Lafayette and his com- 
panions would visit the battle-ground of the Brandywine July 2(], 
1825, and proceed thence to West Chester, preparations were 
made for his reception in the county, and early in the morning of 
that day the general was waited \ipon at the Duponts, where he 
had passed the night, by General John W. Cunningham, one of the 
committee of arrangements, and by Samson Babb and William 
Williamson, two of the marshals of the day, by whom he was con- 
ducted to Chadd's Ford, Avhich place the general and his party 
reached at 10 o'clock a. m. Here he was received by the committee 
from Delawai'e and Chester Counties, headed respectively by Cap- 
tain William Anderson and Colonel Joseph McClellan. A large 
party was in waiting at Chadd's Ford to conduct the illustrious 
visitor over the battle-ground on which he had ftroven his devo- 
tion to the cause of American liberty, and on the battle-ground 
itself there was a large concourse of people in carriages, on horse- 
back and on foot, to welcome the nation's guest. 

About a mile from Chadd's Ford the general alighted from 
his carriage to call upon Gideon Gilpin, a very aged man, at 
whose house during the battle of the Bi*andywine he had made 
his headquarters. The procession then moved to Dilworthtown, 
where another large concourse of citizens awaited the arrival of 
the distinguished party. It then passed on to the Birmingham 
Meeting-house, where the general pointed out the spot where he 
had been wounded, a short distance east and south of the point 
where the road from the meeting-house comes in at right angles 




GKXERAL LAl'AVETTK. 1824. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 265 

with the east and west road. At the meeting-house another large 
assemblage of people had collected. The party then took dinner 
at the house of Samuel Jones, a short distance of the meeting- 
house, and the procession moved to Strode's Mill and thence to the 
Darlington woods, near the west line of the borough of West 
Chester. Here the volunteers of the Third Division were drawn up 
to escort the general and his party into town, the volunteers num- 
bering about seventeen companies. A salute of thirteen guns was 
fired by the Eepublieau Artillerists, after which the entire party 
pi'oceeded in to the borough commanded by General Isaac D. Bar- 
nard, by way of what is now Kosedale Avenue, to High Street, and 
thence up High Street. It was estimated that fully 10,000 people 
were assembled in West Chester to receive the general, and the 
welcome accorded was both hearty and sincere. The procession 
moved up High to Market, to Walnut, to Gay, to High, to Market, 
to Church, to Gay, to High and out to a field owned by Jesse Mat- 
lack on the hill east of the Friends' Meeting-house. Here the troops 
were reviewed by General Lafayette, who complimented them 
highly- on their appearance, and then he was taken to the residence 
of Ziba Pyle, chief burgess of the borough, for a short rest. Then 
going to the grand jury room of the court-house he partook of an 
excellent dinner provided by Eber Worthington, proprietor of 
the Turk's Head hotel, and was thei'e welcomed hj Colonel Joseph 
McClellan in a neat speech, to which General Lafayette responded 
in a most happy manner. Toasts were drank and a song, "La- 
fayette at Brandywine," was sung by Dr. William Darlington. A 
large number of persons paid their respects to the general at the 
residence of Ziba Pyle, where he passed the night Next morning 
he took breakfast at Humphreyville with Major John Filson, 
where a great concourse of people had assembled, and whence he 
was conducted to Lancaster by a committee from that place, 
the Chester County committee returning home. On the whole, it 
16 



266 CHESTER COUNTY 

was an occasion of great joy to the people of the county, such a one 
as, perhaps, can never occur again. 

The h:)ve of and veneration for the distinguished patriot and 
lover of liberty entertained by the ancient inliabitants of Chester 
County has been in its full strength transmitted to their descend- 
ants, which is evident from the fact that in 1895 a movement, 
started by the Chester County Historical Society, was so nobly 
responded to by all the citizens of the county, young as well as 
old, this movement having in view the erection of a monument 
to mirk the spot where the general was wounded in the battle of 
Brandywine. After the necessary loreliminary movements a com- 
iuittee was appointed consisting of James Monaghan, Edwin A. 
Barber and James C. Sellers to conduct the correspondence and to 
consider the designs presented. The committee suggested a 
Eoman-Corinthian column, fifteen feet high, to be made of terra 
cotta, and a sum sufticient to pay for the sliaft was quickly raised 
among the citizens and the school children. The place selected 
for the erection of this monument is a tinangler piece of ground 
on the north side of a public road leading from Dilworthtown to th(^ 
Birmingham Meeting-house, at a point where tlie ]»r()])erties of Mrs. 
Mardy D. Biddle and Minshall Sharpless join. It is one of the 
highest points on what is known as "Battle Hill," is in full view of 
the meeting-house and the hills to the north, over which the British 
aiJi^roached on that eventful day. It is a short distance from 
where Lafayette was wounded. 

This monument was dedicated September 11, 1895, a large 
number of people from all parts of the county being present. The* 
public school children from West Chester were taken there in 
wagons, others finding other means of transportation or going on 
foot, the whole number of children present being about 1,000. The 
entire number of people on the grounds was probably about 7,000. 
The exercises of the day began at West Chester by the firing of a 
salute by General George A. McCall Post, G. A. R., of thirteen 



AND IT^ PEOPLE. 267 

guns, and were continued throughout the day by different organ- 
izations and individuals. They were unusually interesting and 
will long be remembered. Arriving upon the groimd in the vicinity 
of the monument the meeting was called to oi'der by Dr. George 
M. Philips, president of the Historical Society, who announced 
the organization of the meeting, Captain William Wayne being the 
president and There being seventy-iive vice-presidents and twenty- 
six secretaries. The Phoenixville band furnished music for the 
day. The opening prayer was made by Eev. Dr. Owen P. Eachus, 
the address at the unveiling of the monument by M. Louis Vossion, 
the address of presentation by James Monaghan, the dedicatory ad- 
dress by Dr. George M. Philips, the historical address by Mr. Gil- 
bert Cope, the oration of the day by Charlton T. Lewis and the 
benediction by Eev. William L. Bull. 

The inscriptions on the monument are as follows: 

(Front.) 
"On the Kising Ground 
A Short Distance South of This Spot 
LAFAYETTE 
Was Wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, 
September 11, 1777." 
(Right Side.) 
"Erected 
By the Citizens and School Children 
Of Chester County, Pa., 
Under the Auspices of the 
Chester County Historical Society 
• September 11, 1895." 
(Back.) 
"The honor of having mingled my blood with 
that of many other American soldiers, on the 
heights of the Brandywine, has been to me a 
source of pride and delight." — Extract from La- 
fayette's speech at West Chester, July 26, 1825. 



268 • CHESTER COUNTY 

(Left Side.) 
"May the blood spilled by thousands, with 
equal merit in the cause of independence and 
freedom, be to ensuing generations an eternal 
pledge of unalloyed Eepublicanism, Federal 
Union, Public Prosperity and Domestic Happi- 
ness." — Lafayette's toast at West Chester, July 
26, 1S2.5. 
This monument thus ei*ected is now, however, sinking rapidly 
to decay, the ten'a cotta not standing the weather as it was sup- 
posed that it would. It is becoming evident as time passes that if 
the historic spot where Lafayette received his wound is to remain 
marked for the contemplation of coming generations some more 
substantial monument must be erected in the near future. 

On the same day that this monument was dedicated to La- 
fayette there was dedicated also a monument to Colonel Joseph 
McClellan, who was also in the battle of Brandywine. The design 
of this monument was furnished by E. James Dallett, a great- 
great-grandson of Colonel McClellan. This monument consists of 
two blocks of Brandywine marble, one above tJie other, the lower 
one being about four feet square, the upper one somewhat 
smaller, and supporting a polished ball bearing the following in- 
scription : 

"In memory of Colonel Joseph McClellan, born April 28, 1747. 
Died October 14, 1S34. Served in the brigade of General Anthony 
Wayne in the Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777." 

On the lower of the two blocks there is the following inscrip- 
tion: 

"Erected by his descendants September 11, 1895." 
The total cost of this monument was |285.92. It was unveiled 
by James D. McClellan of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a grandson of 
Colonel Joseph McClellan, and the oration of the occasion was de- 
livered by Colonel Joseph McClellan Bell of Milwaukee, Wis- 
consin. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE WAR OF 1812. 
THE MEXICAN WAR. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE WAR OF l8l2 — CALL FOR TROOPS — FIRST OFFER OF CHESTER COUNTY — 

NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT ITS OFFICERS ENCAMPMENTS GENERAL 

OFFICERS — COMPANIES FROM CHESTER COUNTY THE MEXICAN 

WAR VOLUNTEERS — NAMES OF SOLDIERS. 

IT is well kiiuwu that difficulties between the United States 
and England existed for years before war was actually declared 
by Congress against tlie latter country, which was done June IS, 
1812. But it was on May 12 that Governor Simon Snyder made a 
call upon the State of Pennsylvania for 11,000 militia, which w'ere 
to be formed into two divisions, four brigades and twenty-four 
regiments, the whole to be in the proportion of 11,200 infantry, 
1,400 riHemen, 700 cavalry and 700 artillery. 

The first offer of Chester County troops was made almost im- 
mediately after war was determined upon bj' the Government, 
this offer having been made June 21, 1812, by Captain James 
IJaLstou of his company of cavaby. 

The Ninety-seventh Regiment was mustered in May 5, 18i;>, 
rendezvoused at New London cross roads by order of Bi'igadier- 
General John W. Cunningham, went to Elkton, Md., and was dis- 
charged May 21, 1813. The officers of this regiment were as fol- 
lows: Colonel, Andrew Thompson; lieutenant-colonel, George W. 
Thompson; major, Washington Parke; paymaster, Robert Futhey; 
quartermaster, David Parke; Captains, Thomas Stewart, John 
Holmes, Robert Ralston, John Wright, J. Skyles, James Alex- 
ander, William Steele and John Naglee. There were several men 
from Chester County in Captain Stewart's company, among whom 
were Reaziu Terry, Samuel Black, Robert Futhey, Archibald 

271 



-/- 



CHESTER COUNTY 



Thomas, George W. Parke, Peter Rambo, Jolin Wallace, James 
Stewart, Israel Hamill, Levi McCormick, Silas Wilson, James 
Eamsey and Enos Hughes. 

After the burning of the Capitol building at Washington by 
General Eoss grave fears were entertained that an attempt was 
designed upon several Atlantic cities, among them Baltimore and 
Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania bore an honorable part in the 
preparations made to prevent such a disaster. The Governor of the 
State, under date of August 27, 1814, issued a proclamation in order 
to guard against a surprise and to have ready a force sufficient 
to meet all emergencies that might arise, ordering and directing 
the militia within the counties of Philadelphia, Bucks, M(mt- 
gomery, Delaware, Chester, Lancaster, Daiiphiu, Lebanon, Berks, 
Schuylkill, Lehigh, Northampton and Pike to be held in readiness 
to march at a moment's notice to such place as might be designated 
in subsequent orders, which were to be issued in case of necessity. 

An encampment was formed at Kennett Square called "Camp 
Bloomfield," the troops there to serve under Colonel Berry, this 
being on or before September 3. September 10 Governor Snyder 
reported that General Bloomlield had suggested a camp at Marcus 
Hook, and on September 12 General Thomas Cadwallader was 
assigned to the command of the militia at Kennett Square, which 
were to be formed into one brigade. The next day General Bloom- 
field oi'dered that all the troops from Chester and neighboring 
counties should assemble at Marcus Hook, completely equipped 
for the field. On September 17 the Governor of tlie State ordered 
that an election should be held for officers and that the volunteer 
troops should be organized into regiments. Isaac Wayne of 
Chester County was elected colonel of the Second Regiment of 
volunteer light infantry, but this honor he declined on the ground 
of previous and sacred engagements with volunteer cavalry. 
Early in October several regiments of militia marched to "Camp 
Marcus Hook," then under the command of Major-General Isaac 



.LY7) ITS PEOPLE. 27.5 

Worrell, who had command of the First Division of Penusyl- 
Tania militia. 

Chester County furnished the following general officers: 
Major-General Cromwell Pearce of the Third Division; Major-Geu- 
eral James Steel, same division; Brigadier-General William Harris, 
same division, Second Brigade; Brigadier-General John W. Cun- 
ningham, same division. First Brigade; Brigade Inspector James 
Park, same division. First Brigade; James Ealston, caiDtaiu of cav- 
alry. 

The companies from Chester County were as follows: The 
"American Greys," Captain Titus Taylor, with ten non-commis- 
sioned officers and forty-one private soldiers; Captain John G. 
Worsler's company, with seven non-commissioned officers and 
forty-one private soldiers; Captain Jacob Campbell's company, with 
nine non-commissioned officers and ninety-two private soldiers; 
Captain Benjamin W^therby's company, with eight non-commis- 
sioned officers and and one hundred and five private soldiers; Cap- 
tain James Lackey's company, with eight non-commissioned offi- 
cers and one hundred and ten private soldiers; Captain George 
Hartman's company, with eleven non-commissioned officers and 
one hundred private soldiers; Captain Beerbower's company, 
Peter Smith as first lieutenant and fifty-one voting members as 
private soldiers; Captain John Harris' company, with David Bees. 
as first lieutenant and forty-four voting members as private sol- 
diers; Captain Christopher Wigton's company, with nine non-com- 
missioned officers and forty-seven private soldiers; Captain Rob- 
ert Wilson's company, with nine non-commissioned officers and 
eighty-three private soldiers; Captain William Stuart's company^ 
with five non-commissioned officers and twenty-seven private sol- 
diers; Captain William Steele's company, with nine non-commis- 
sioned officers and sixty-five private soldiers; and Captain John 
Holmes' company, with nine non-commissioned officers and fifty- 
nine private soldiei*s. Captain D. B. Keim's company of volun- 
teer militia had in it Samuel Shaffer and Thomas Baird as voters. 



274 CHESTER COUNTY 

THE MEXICAN WAR. 

On May 13, 1840, Congre.ss aunounced that by the act of 
Mexico a state of war existed between that country and the 
United States, and authorized the President to employ the militia 
and the military and naval forces of the United States in order to 
bring it to a speedy close. He was authorized to accept the serv- 
ices of 50,000 volunteers. Pennsylvania was asked to furnish six 
regiments to serve for twelve months, or to the end of the war. 
Within thirty days ninety companies offered themselves, quite a 
number of individuals being from the county of Chester, but no 
<;-omijan3' or organization of any kind. The names of a portion of 
those who went are here appended, it being understood that the list 
would be much longer could the names of others be ascertained. 

Levi P. Kuerr served as a lieutenant tlirougli the war; William 
S. Mendenhall, though born at Chadd's Ftu'd, Delaware County, 
volunteered from West Chester in 184(i, he being at the time six- 
teen years of age, and served two years, taking part in most of the 
important battles that occurred during that time. He Avas slightly 
wounded in the foot in one battle and in the head in another battle, 
and returned to West Chester when eighteen years of age. Thomas 
King and John Yocum also went to the Mexican war, and Lieu- 
tenant Columbus I'enn Evans served in the Eleventh United States 
infantry was breveted captain and was presented with a sword by 
the Legislature of the State of Delaware for meritorious conduct 
in several battles of the war. Ir\in Parke was a jirivate soldier in 
Captain Samuel Hyams" company of the Sixth Louisana Eegimeut, 
commanded by Colonel Payton, and J Robert Taylor of West Chester 
was also a private soldier in that war. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE REBELLION. 



CHAPTEK VII. 

THE GREAT REBELLION — ITS ORIGIN — FALL OF SUMTER PROMPT WAR MEAS- 
URES THE FIRST VOLUNTEERS — THEIR DEPARTURE FOR THE FIELD 

CARE FOR THEIR FAMILIES — THE ENTIRE COUNTY AT WORK 

OFFICERS AND COMPANIES RECRUITING — SERVICE OF THE REGI- 
MENTS — AID SOCIETIES CONTINUED ENLISTMENTS THE DRAFT 

INVASION OF THE STATE — THE UNION LEAGUE THE SECOND 

DRAFT THE VETERANS — THE SURRENDER OF LEE AND THE 

ASSASSINATION OF LINCOLN — ESTIMATE OF MEN FUR- 
NISHED BY THE COUNTY SPECIAL MENTION 

OF DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS. 

THE causes of the War of the Kebellion are well known to all 
and are fully recorded in general history and in many well written 
biographical works on the great men of that time, both North and 
South. A few dates of important events immediately pertaining to 
the beginning of actual hostilities are therefoi'e all that will be 
represented here in relation to general history, to serve as a mere 
introduction to the brief narrative given of Chester County's part in 
that great conflict. 

Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States 
November G, 1S60, and was inaugurated March 4, 1861. In the 
meantime South Carolina passed an ordinance of secession De- 
cember 20, 1860, other Southern States following with similar ordi- 
nances on different dates, until eleven of them had seceded, as they 
thought, from the Union. Fort Sumter surrendered to the Seces- 
sionists April 13, 1861, and on April 15 President Lincoln issued 
his first proclamation calling for militia from the several States 
under the act of Congress of February 25, 1795, to the number of 
75,000 men, to serve for three months. The number of troops 

277 



278 CHESTER COUXTY 

Pennsylvania was asked to raise was fourteen regiments; but so 
strong was the feeling throughout the State in favor of main- 
taining the Union that instead of fourteen regiments enough 
men offered their services to organize twenty-five regiments al- 
most immediately after the call was made. Out of the excess of 
men above the fourteen regiments Governor Curtin organized the 
famous Pennsylvania Ifeserve Corps, which was the only well or- 
ganized and well disciplined coiiJS in the Union Army at the time 
of the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 

So far as Chester County is concerned it is proper to state 
that no county in the country was more patriotic or prompt to 
offer soldiers and to equip them for the war, and no county was 
more prompt to see that the families of the soldiers that went to 
the front should be provided Avith the necessai'ies of life while 
those soldiers were fighting the battles of their country. 

The reception of the news of the bombardment of Fort Sum- 
ter, which was on Sunday, April l-t, aroused the people of the 
county to a most remai'kable degree. Before night of the next 
day measures were taken to raise troops for the support of the 
Government. An immense meeting was held at the court-house, at 
which Dr. Wilmer Worthington presided, and at which addresses 
were made by Major Wyck, F. P. Smith, Kev. Mr. Xewtou, Hon. 
Townsend Haines, Uriah V. Penuypacker, Hon. .John Hickman, 
Wayne MacVeagh and Captain James Givin. A roll for a company 
of riflemen was opened, quite a number of young men put down 
their names and a committee was appointed to raise funds witli 
which to equip the company. 

On Tuesday evening a meeting was held in Horticultural Hall 
at which an election was held, resulting as follows: Captain, 
James Givin; first lieutenant, Benjamin H. Sweney; second lieu- 
tenant, Thomas S. Bell, Jr.; third lieutenant, John H. Babb; or- 
derly sergeant, Walter Hibbard, Jr.; .quartermaster, George F. 
Smith. The services of this company were at once accepted by 
Governor Curtin and left for Harrisburg on April 23. 



AXn ITS PEOPLE. 279 

On Wednesday, April 17, the National Guards held a meeting 
at the armory, at which, upon motion of Henry W. Carnthers, the 
services of the company (A) were offered to the Government. The 
officers of this company were: Captain, Henry R. Guss; first lien- 
tenant, Francis M. Guss; second lieutenant, Richard D. Town- 
send, and quartermaster, Galusha A. Penuypacker. Company B 
of tlie National Guards was officered as follows: Captain, James 
F. Andress; first lieutenant, 1). W. Clinton Lewis; second lieuten- 
ant, William M. Hinksdu. And Company C had the following offi- 
cers: Captain, t^amuel Hufty, Jr.; first lieutenant, David Jones; 
second lieutenant, Joseph T. Barnett. These three companies be- 
came parts of the Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantn, winch 
will be mentioned later on. 

A comjjany of soldiers was organized on Saturday evening, 
April 20, which on that evening elected Henry Mclntyre captain, 
John W. Nields first lieutenant and C. B. Lamborn second lieuten- 
ant. This company was named the Braudywine Guards. 

At Downington Colonel Ringwalt, Dr. Leech and others made 
efforts to raise a company of soldiers, and from Valley Forge a 
number of young men unable to Avait for the formation of a cora- 
]iany in their immediate neighborhood went down to Philadelphia 
to join volunteer companies forming there. On April IS a num- 
ber of j'oung men of Howellville enlisted with the company then 
forming at Norristown, and a number left their homes in Oxford 
for Philadelphia, where thej' united witli regiments forming for 
the war. At Oxford a meeting was held at Nichols' Hotel, of 
which \Squire Sloan was president, at which meeting a committee 
was aj)pointed consisting of C. S. Riding, E. Newman, J. T. Massey, 
F. B(jwnian J. B. Whitcraft, P. F. Ash, Joseph Showalter and H. 
H. Grubb, for the purpose of collecting money with which to pur- 
chase a flag to be raised over the railroad depot. 

At Phoenixville David Reeves, president of the Phoenix Iron 
Works, gave notice that of any of his employes enlisted in the 



28o CHESTER COUNTY 

armv thev should have the houses they lived iu, owned bj' the 
company, free of rent during their absence in the service of their 
Government. In a few hours a subscription of |4,000 was raised 
for the support of the families of such as should enlist. On the 
19th of April a meeting of the citizens of West Chester was held an 
the court-house for the purpose of raising funds for the support 
of the families of such as should go to the war, of which meeting- 
Joseph Hemphill was the president, A committee was appointed 
consisting of William Darlington, Edwin Otley, John Marshall, 
Rev. W. E. Moore, John G. Robison, Eev. John F. Pendergast, Lewis 
W. i^hields. Dr. J. B. Wood and Captain Apple, to solicit and re- 
ceive the funds contributed for this purpose. 

A company was raised at West Chester called the Reserve 
Guards, composed of men under forty years of age and armed with 
Sharp's rifles, of which the officei's were: Captain, E. L. Christmau; 
first lieutenant, Charles B. Lee; second lieutenant, William Lynch. 
Another company, raised within the limits of the county, was 
called the Union Guards, which had the following officers: Cap- 
tain, John W. Newlin; first lieutenant, George Silvers, and second 
lieutenant, William Bailey. This company was named the Ander- 
son Light Artillery. 

On April 20 a company was fully organized at Kennett Square 
containing sixty members. This district was inhabited largely by 
members of the Society of Friends, and the company was named 
the Kennett Rifles, or the "Quaker Company." Its officers were: 
Captain, C. F. Taylor; first lieutenant, Chandler Hall, and second 
lieutenant, Evan P. Dixon. They were equipped with blankets, 
etc., by the people of their section of the county, .|4,000 being 
quickly raised for this purpose on the day they were organized. 
On the 30th of the month a company of home guards was raised 
at Milltown, of which Jesse Matlack was the captain, William 
B. Hoopes first lieutenant and Eli S. Moore second lieutenant. A 
company was raised at Kennett Square called the Kennett 




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AND ITH PEOPLE. 283 

Square Home Guards, to which a large cannon was presented by 
Bayard Taylor, to protect the town from invasion. 

At Coatesville two companies were raised, one of infantry and 
one of cavalry, the officers of the infantrv' being J. T. Minster, cap- 
tain; Samuel Greenwood, first lieutenant, and Eobert Kussell, 
second lieutenant. On the 22d of April there was a meeting at 
Unionville, in the hall, at which were present many citizens of 
East and West Marlborough, Pocopson and Xewlin townships, for 
the purpose of forming a company of home guards. One hundred 
and fifty men enrolled their names and elected William S. Collier 
captain and D. M. Taylor lieutenant. On this same day there was 
a meeting at Amity schoolhouse to form a volunteer rifle corps. 

The Phffinixville artillerists about the same time offered their 
services to the Government, their officers being captain, J. E. 
Dobson; first lieutenant, Joseph T. McCord, and second lieutenant, 
Joseph Taggart. A company called the Wayne Guards was 
raised hj Captain P. J. Phillips. At West Chester there was organ- 
ized a home guard company of men over forty-five years of age, to 
protect Chester County from being ovemin by marauders. This 
company held a meeting April 22, and elected officers as follows: 
Captain, William Apple; first lieutenant. Maris Frame, and second 
lieutenant, Eichard Townsend. At East Fallowfield a meeting 
was held April 23 for the purpose of raising a company of home 
guards, and more than fifty men united with the company, which 
was named the Fallowfield Guards. A home guard company was 
formed at Parkesburg, one at Kimbleville, and one at Pennington- 
ville. One of the features of the times, even at that early day, the 
latter part of April, was the arrival of refugees from the seceding 
states, many coming into and some passing through Chester 
County. 

On April 27 a meeting was held at the house of James Beale, 
at which a company was raised and officered, called the Exton 
Guards. Its officers were as follows: Captain, William Beale; 
17 



284 CIIEtiTER COUXTY 

first lieiitenant, Charles Jacobs, and second lieutenant, William 
H. Gunkle. A company of cavalry Avas organized between Ches- 
ter and Delaware Counties, called the Chester and Delawaro 
cavalry company, of which Samuel Davis was chosen captain. 
The New London home guard company was officered as follows: 
Captain, James M. McDowell; first lieutenant, Lewis Gause, and 
second lieutenant, Charles Cornell. A company was organized 
called the Oxford company, with Charles K. McDonald captain. 

The Phoenixville Iron Works during the month of April or 
early in May, 1861, made a number of wrought-iron cannon fm- 
the government, six and twelve pounders, for Philadelphia, and 
turned out several thousand s(did 12-pound balls and shells. It 
was thus in all parts of the county, everyone talking about and 
preparing for war. The Phoniixville field ])iece was known as 
the Griffen gun, the patentee being John Griffen, superintendent 
of the works at that time. 

By the military authorities of the State it was early resolved 
to establish a military encampment at West Chester, and the 
managers of the Agricultural Society offered the use of the Fair 
Grounds for that purpose. The camp here Avas named "Camp 
Wayne,'' in honor of Gen. Anthony AYayne. On Friday evening, 
May 3, the Ninth Eegiment arrived from Harrisburg in a special 
train, the number of men in the regiment being about SOO. The 
next day brought the Eleventh Eegiment, and on that day the 
two regiments went into camp, although the preparations were 
far from complete. On Sunday, the 5th, Eev. William E. Moore, 
by request, held religious services at the camp. The colonel of 
the Ninth Eegiment was Longnecker, the lieutenant-col- 
onel, W. H. E. Hangen, and the adjutant, Thomas S. Bell of West 
Chester. The colonel of the Eleventh Eegiment was Phalen Jar- 
rett, and lieutenant-colonel, Eichard Coulter. The Ninth Eegi- 
ment joined Gen. Patterson's army in June, and through it was 
attached to the Fourth Brigade of the First Division, and served 



AXD ;7'»S' PEOPLE. 285 

between Maitiusburg aud Wiuchester, Va. It was mustered out 
July 24. 

The Second Pennsylvania volunteer infantry was hastily re- 
cruited and organized April 21, 18G1, at Harrisburg. Captain 
James (Jivin's company, mentioned above, became Company G 
of this regiment, and he became major of the regiment. The 
regiment left Harrisburg for Washington on April 21, but was 
ordered to halt at York, Pa., where it remained until June 1, when 
it moved to Chambersburg. Here it was assigned to the second 
Brigade of the Second Division, and on June 16 went to Funks- 
town, Md., crossing the Potomac July 2, with Gen. Patterson's 
army, advancing to Martinsburg and thence to Bunker Hill. It 
was mustered out Julj- 20. 

During the month of July, 1861, a general movement took 
place in many parts of the county to raise a i*egiment for three 
years, Henry R. Guss, who had been a captain in the three months' 
service, being authorized by the Secretary of War to recruit such 
a regiment. Seven companies of this regiment were raised in 
Chester County, while three i-ompanies, D, G and I, were princi- 
pally from Delaware County. The several companies rendez- 
voused at Camp ^Vayne, after the departure therefrom of the 
First and Seventh Kegiments of Pennsylvania Reserves. Col. 
Henry R. Guss was at that time proprietor of the Green Tree 
Hotel, West Chester, and verj^ popular in the county. His regi- 
ment was the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, 
aud had the following officers: Colonel, Henry R. Guss; lieutenant- 
colonel, Augustus P. Duer; major, Galusha A. Pennypacker; Com- 
pany A, captain, Francis M. Guss; first lieutenant, Lewis Y. Evans, 
and second lieutenant, William Peace; Company B, captain, Will- 
iam B. McCoy; first lieutenant, Jonas M. G. Savage; second lieu- 
tenant, James Hughes; Company C, captain, Isaiah Pnce; first 
lieutenant, Emmor G. Griffith; second lieutenant, William Gardi- 
ner; Company D, captain, William S. Mendenhall; first lieutenant, 



286 CHESTER COCXTY 

George W. Williams, and second lientenant, Israel Fawkes; Com- 
pany E, captain, William McConnell; first lieutenant, John II. 
Babb, and second lieutenant, John McGrath; Company F, cap- 
tain, De Witt Clinton Lewis; first lieutenant, Joseph T. Burnett, 
and second lieutenant, Oliver B. Strickland; Company G, captain, 
Jesse L. Cummins; first lieutenant, Caleb Iloopes, and second 
lieutenant, Joshua M. BuiTell; Company H, captain, Charles Mc- 
Ilvaine; first lieutenant, Thomas S. Taylor, and second lieutenant, 
Elwood P. Baldwin; Company I, captain, George W. Hawkins; 
first lieutenant, Sketchley Morton, Jr., and second lieutenant, 
Annesley L. Morton; Company K, captain, William Wayne; first 

lieutenant, John J. Barber, and second lieutenant, . 

Attached to this regiment there was an excellent band of 
twenty-two members. While the regiment was in Camp Wayne it 
was visited by Governor Curtin and his staff, November 12, and on 
the 15th of that month received marching orders, leaving West 
Chester on the 16th, marching from camp through the principal 
streets of West Chester, partaking of a lunch of coffee and sand- 
wiches on Church Street, and leaving the depot on the train for 
Washington at 11:20 a. m. On December 1, they were encamped 
about two miles from Fortress Monroe, Va., and from the time 
they took the field made a most brilliant and honorable recoi'd for 
themselves and for the county which sent them forth to the war. 
Soon after reaching Fortress Monroe this regiment went to Port 
Eoyal, S. C, to Warsaw Sound, and to Florida and Georgia. It 
participated in the South Carolina campaign and under Gen. Gill- 
more took part in the assault on Fort Wagner. After«\ard it 
garrisoned the fort at Fei-nandina and the works at Fort Clinch, 
Florida. On April 23, 1864, it was ordered to Fortress Monroe to 
join the Army of the James under Gen. Benjamin F. Butlei", under 
whom it marched on Richmond, and was engaged in severe fight- 
ing in front of Petersburg. In the assault on the rebel Fort Gil- 
more this regiment particularly distinguished itself, Col. Penny- 



AM) ITS PEOriJJ. 287 

packer being iu command of a brigade, wliicli he le<l on tlie rigiit 
of the attacking column. It was in the expedition of Gen. Butler 
and Commodore Porter against Fort Fisher, North Carolina, and 
later in Gen. Terry's expedition against this fort, and was en- 
gaged in its capture, which was effected after seven hours of the 
most desperate hand-to-hand fighting in the annals of the war. 
Here the regiment lost four killed and thirty-seven wounded, 
among the wounded being Col. Galusha A. Penm-packer, then com- 
manding the Second Brigade. It participated in the capture of 
Wilmington, North Carolina, February 23, 1865, remaining at 
Weldon, North Carolina, until August 26, when and where it was 
mustered out. H. W. Carruthers was adjutant <»f this regiment, 
and Isaiah Price, who was at first (■a])taiii of Company (', was sub- 
sequently major. 

Turning attention again to what the people at home were 
doing, it is necessary to note the fact that all through the war 
there were numerous aid societies within the county that per- 
formed important services in the way of making clothing of all 
kinds and collecting money for the benetit of the "boys" in the 
field. There was a Central Aid Society at West Chester, and 
numerous branch societies in all parts of the county. These 
societies were in the hands of women, who, in their support and 
management, attested their interest in and loyalty to the cause, 
the only, or at least tlic principal, way in wliicii they could serve 
the government. There was the Ladies' Union Aid Society of 
r'oatesville, Midway and vicinity, wliich was organized early in 
1S(;1, with Mrs. Mary A. Penrose, president; Mrs. Elizabeth Worth 
and Mrs. Mary Valentine, vice-presidents; Mrs. Elizabeth Morri- 
son, treasurer; Miss Martha J. Mora-ison, corresponding secretary, 
and Miss Mary B. Thomas, recording secretary. The meetings of 
this society were held in the hall of Mr. J. D. Bi'oomall, who per- 
mitted the use of it free of rent. In aid of the societies under 
consideration lectui-es were given by prominent gentlemen, Wayne 



288 CHESTER COUXTY 

MacYeagli lecturing for the benefit of this society January 14, 
1862. 

Mortonville Aid Society also performed effective and noble 
work in tlie line of making clothing and supplies of various kinds 
for the soldiers at the front. Of this society Miss Lizzie McFadlen 
was president, Miss Maggie Moore and Miss Sallie McFadlen secre- 
taries, and about 30 other ladies were members. The East Brandy- 
wine Aid Society was not behind similar organizations, nor was 
the Kimbertou Aid Society, nor the Upper Uwchlan Aid Society. 
Many other societies were equally active and efficient in the work 
performed. F. Crossby lectured in the Willistown Baptist Church 
for the benefit of the Soldiers' Aid Society in that part of the 
county; Dr. I. I. Hayes, the famous Arctic explorer, lectured Jan- 
uary 10, 1862, for the benefit of the Soldiers' Fund, and on Feb- 
ruary 1, 1862, A. K. Warrington of Philadelphia lectured for the 
benefit of the Union Eelief Society. The Central Aid Society of 
the county at this time had for its officers Mary F. Wyers, treas- 
urer, and E. W. Smith, secretary. This society for the month of 
January, 1862, received |282.39 in money, besides a large quantity 
of supplies suitable for men in hospital, a part of which was 
sent to Louissille, Ky., and a part to hospitals in Missouri. The 
list of donations for the benefit of this society for February fills 
half a column in the newspapers. Xo one seemed ever to tire of 
doing good in this way. February 15, 1862, Washington Towns- 
end lectured for the benefit of the Union Relief Society at Uniou- 
ville. 

Enlistments were not specially active in the early part of 1862, 
but there was something done in that line. In .January of that 
j-ear Capt. Price and Sergeant Fithian opened a recruiting ofiice 
in West Chester, and Lieut. Barber and Jefferson Massey opened a 
similar oflftce in the borough of Oxford. 

On the 27th of February a pleasant incident occurred in the 
presentation of a handsome saber to Col. Josiah Harlan, who had 



.l.V/> ITS I'EOl'LIL 289 

beeu commissioned to raise a regiment of cavalry, the committee 
of presentation being Owen Hamilton, Elwood McFarlan and 
William D. Pruin. It was about this time that Bayai'd Taylor 
was appointed Secretary of Legation to St. Petersburg, one of the 
reasons being that he was unusually well versed in the modern 
languages. 

When news reached Chester County that Col. Guss's regiment, 
the Ninety-seventh, had had a severe battle at or near Charleston, 
South Carolina, the ladies began immediately to prepare articles 
for the wounded soldiers, and to collect and fonvard a large quan- 
tity of hospital stores, the list of articles filling half a column in 
the Village Keeord. It was at this battle in June, 1SG2, that a 
remarkable incident occuri-ed in connection with this regiment, 
lliat their nnnierous liairbreadth escapes are "to be accounted for 
only by the fact that our fire was so rapid and tlie smoke in con- 
sequence so dense as partially to hide our men from view." 

President Lincoln, on July 20, made a call for troops, and on 
the 21st Gov. Curtin issued a proclamation calling for volunteers 
for nine months and for twelve months, the nine months' volun- 
teers to aid in filling up old regiments, and the twelve months' 
men to be organized into new regiments. According to the sched- 
ule published the quota of Chester County was six companies 
under this call. In aid of this movement there was a meeting 
hehl at tlie court-house on .July 23, Wednesday evening, at which 
Townsend Haines presided; Capt. William Apple and John T. 
Worthington were vice-presidents, and Dr. Frank Taylor and John 
^larshall secretaries. At this meeting it was agreed unanimously 
that to each and every enlisted man upon his being mustered into 
the service, a bounty of f-lO should be given, and in order to raise 
the money a committee of seventy gentlemen was appointed from 
West Chester and vicinit}'. Meetings were also held in other por- 
tions of the county to encourage enlistments. James Whitcraft 
<jf Oxford raised a company of meu. In West Chester G. C. Mar- 



290 CHESTER COUNTV 

shall was recruiting of3ficer, and Capt. Hawley's company left 
Downingtown for Harrisburg on August 6. On this same day 
Capt. Stoll's company came into West Chester, and on the next 
day Capt. Whitcraft's company from Oxford. 

However, with all the activity then manifested volunteering 
did not fill up the depleted ranks of the troops in the field and the 
new regiments required fast enough, and it became evident that 
a draft was necessary to secure the men. The number of men 
called for from Chester County under the first draft was 1,800, and 
here, as in all parts of the country, the number was claimed to be 
too great. It was claimed that as the State, which had a popula- 
tion of 2,900,000, was required to furnish only 42,000 troops, which 
was one to every sixty-nine persons, Chester County ought to be 
called upon for only 1,115, as her population was 77,000. In order 
to aid recruiting and to avoid if possible the necessity for a draft 
in Chester County, subscriptions were made to a fund to be used 
in paying bounties to volunteers, and up to August 20, 18G2, $30,- 
000 had been subscribed. In order to secure the requisite number 
of volunteers, a call was made by James P. Everhart, Francis C. 
Hooton, William B. Waddell, Isaac McClure, William A. Moore, 
J. Stuart Leech, Joseph Umstead, John W. Davis, Joshua Karnes 
and David Potts, and to give time for the raising of the requisite 
number of volunteers, the draft was postponed uutil September 15. 
By August 30 Capt. Waddell had 101 men enlisted, Capt. Everhart 
eighty, Capt. Hooton seventy-five, and other captains about the 
same average number. 

In order to be prepared to go forward with the draft, should 
the county fail to raise her quota through voluntary enlistments, 
it was necessary to enroll the inhabitants of the county subject to 
military service, for which purpose a sufficient number of marshals 
Avas appointed. These marshals fouud the work of enrollment un- 
expectedly pleasant, there being very little opposition on the part 
of the people to giving all needed information as to number of men 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 291 

in each family within the ages of eighteen and forty-five. And the 
marshals reported that even where there was some hesitancy in 
giving names of those subject to duty in the families of those called 
upon, they were always willing to give all information about their 
neighbors. This enrollment commenced on August 25, 1862, un- 
der Mr. Barber, chief marshal, and resulted as follows: Total 
number enrolled, 13,289; volunteers in Pennsylvania regiments,. 
o,0G7; volunteers in regiments belonging to other States, 220; 
total number of volunteers from the county, 3,287. 

In connection with the draft, which the county did not siicceed 
in evading, the following extract from the constitution of the 
State then in force is of interest: 

"Those who conscieutiouslj- scruple to bear arms shall not be 
compelled to do so, but shall i>ay an equivalent for personal serv- 
ices.'' But each person claiming exemption under this provision of 
the constitution was required to be sworn or affirmed that he was 
conscientiously opposed to bearing arms.* 

Francis C. Hooton, commissioner of the draft for Chester 
County, appointed the following places for the hearing and deter- 
mining of excuses of persons who had been enrolled hy the mar- 
shals and who claimed exemption from military duty: West 
Chester, Phoenixville, Buck Tavern, Marshallton, Chatham and 
Oxford, 

On September 10, the danger of invasion by tbe rebel army 
having become imminent. Governor Curtin issued a general order 
calling on all able-bodied men to enroll immediately for the de- 
fense of the State and on the 12th of the month, at 8 o'clock a. m.,, 
an enthusiastic meeting was held at the court-house in ^Yest 
Chester, at which it was announced that the Governor had called 
for 50,000 men. Captain Hannum announced that his company 



* The constitution of 1874 provides that ''The General Assembly 
exempt from military service persons having consciention scruples against beai-ing- 
arms." 



292 CHESTER COUNTY 

would be ready to move at the call of the Governor. Three volun- 
teer companies Avere also announced as ready to move, each com- 
pany containing eighty men. Under this call of the Governor 
Chester County was among the first to send forward her soldiers 
to the rescue by t^eptember IG, three companies having already 
left West Chester, one of tliem going on Sunday morning, Septem- 
ber li. One company, with William llanua as captain, formed for 
the emergency, Joel 1'. ( "ouard being tirst lieutenant and John Davis 
second. At Chatham a c<inipany of 100 men sprang up in a day, 
elected Thomas Hicks captain, Joseph Terrell tirst lieutenant and 
Enoch Moore second. In East and ^^'est Whiteland a company of 
infantry was organized, with Joseph McMullen captain, and 
there was a company of cavalry formed under Captain Wayne 
Mac'S'eagh, the latter leaving Parkesburg September 14. 

The time for making the draft was again postponed until 
September .5 C'lmmissioner Hooton publishing the number re- 
quired September 23 as 1,.330 from Chester <\)unty. But 
once more the draft was postponed until October KJ, when it 
was made, tlie number drafted being 1,159 men. It was con- 
ducted by Commissioner Hooton, assisted by Sheriff Heffelfluger 
and William McCormick, the latter being blindfolded and drawing 
the names out of a wheel made somewhat like a cliurn. The num- 
ber of men exempted in tiie rouuty under this tirst enrollment for 
physical disability was 1,190 and for conscientious scruples 197. Of 
the 1,159 drafted men up to October 25, 161 had furnished sub- 
stitutes, and up to November 1, 79 more had done so. At that time 
the price paid for substitutes ranged from -f 100 to .1:500. 

The drafted men and substitutes assembled on Tuesday, Octo- 
ber 28, at Cam]) ^^ ayne, no one else being permitted to enter tlie 
camp. Upon ariiving inside the camp they were classified under 
sergeants, sixteen to a sergeant; but as many of the men came 
ali'eady organized through the election of officers to suit them- 
selves the arrangements made by the commissioner of the draft 



AXD ]TS PEOPLE. 293 

were abandoned. Quite a large number of men did not appear, 
and ujion inquiry in tlie neighborhood of their homes it was found 
that tlie missing' ones had not been seen for about a weelv, 
and it was generally supposed that they liad "skedaddled." The 
missing ones were in the main substitutes, who had received their 
pay as such before being sworn in. At i o'clock in the afternoon of 
the day last mentioned the list of the drafted men was called over 
and 570 found to be absent; but it was known that some of these 
had merely left camp for the borough, it being late in the day. 
On Wednesday morning all present in camp, after breakfast, 
formed into line and marched to the depot of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad in charge of Colonel John Nields, and at 12:30 p. m., when 
the cars arrived, all boarded the train and left West Chester for 
Camp Phi]adeli»hia in fine spirits, cheering and singing songs as 
they were pulled out of the dejiot. Before leaving camp that morn- 
ing upon the calling of the roll 810 responded to their names. 

Upon arriving in camp at Philadelphia, this camp being the 
rendezvous for the counties of Piiiladelphia, Noithampton, Mon- 
roe, Wayne, Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, Lehigh, Carbon, Pike 
and Chester, it was found that still quite a number of substi- 
tutes were absent and measures were taken to find them. Two 
were (]uickly found in New Jersey and placed in jail in Philadel- 
phia. The drafted men from Chester County were formed into 
nine companies, Avhich companies elected captains as follows: 
Peter Colehower, Vincent; Levi Fetters, East Whiteland; Thomas 
Hicks, Londongrove; Evan P. Dixon, Kennett; Joseph Thompson, 

East iXantmeal; Theodore Woollens; Rowland of New 

York, formerly of Chester County; George W. Werntz, Honey- 
brook; William X. Worthington, West Goshen. On Tuesday, No- 
vember 11, eight of these companies were mustered into the serv- 
ice of the LTnited States, biit none of the companies was full, 
only 710 an.swering to their names, the rest being absent on fur- 
lough. In order to make a full regiment two companies from Mont- 



294 CHESTER COUNTY 

gonierj County joined the Chester County men and thus completed 
the regiment, which elected Francis C. Hooton colonel, Samuel 
Dyer of Chester lieutenant-colonel and Isaac McClure of Chester 
County major. 

James H. Bull of West Chester was appointed provost marshal 
of Chester County early in September, receiving his commission 
September S, 18G2. The Oxford Guards, Captain James Whit- 
craft's company, were assigned to the One Hundred and Twenty- 
fourth Pennsylvania volunteer infantry. Of this company W. C. 
Dickey was first lieutenant and Levi Crowl second lieutenant. In 
the Twelfth Pennsylvania volunteer militia there were the Key- 
stone Guards and two other companies from Chester County, one 
from WJiitelaud and the other from Liouville. Of the Keystone 
Guards the captain was William R. Ash; first lieutenant, J. D. 
Bromall; and second lieutenant, W. H. Gilbert. In the Twenty- 
fourth Pennsylvania volunteer militia was Captain George B. 
Thomas' company, of which the first lieutenant was Charles J. 
Hunt and second lieutenant Isaac Massey. 

About March 1, 1863, the recruiting of colored men began in 
Chester County, those enlisted being taken in charge by a gentle- 
man from Boston who, as soon as a squad had been secured, 
took them to Massachusetts to fill the quota of that State. They 
Avere paid $13 per month. Twenty-seven men left Chester County 
on February 2(i and twenty-five more were ready to go on March 3. 
This movement of enlisting colored ti'oops for Eastern States 
was quite general throughout the eastern and central parts of 
Pennsylvania. 

A few weeks later the most prominent matter in the minds of 
the patriotic people of the county was the formation of Union 
Leagues, for the purpose of sustaining the government in sup- 
pressing the Rebellion of open and armed foes and also to 
guard against the machinations of secret foes at home. A call 
was issued for a meeting of the citizens to take place at the court- 



.l.\7> ITS PEOPLE. 295 

house on Wednesday evening, March 25, 1863, for the purpose 
of forming such a league. This meeting was largely attended 
and ably addressed by B. F. Brewster of Philadelphia, Governor 
Cannon of Delaware, Colonel Wilmer of Delaware and Rev. Mr. 
Jackson of the Methodist Conference, then in session in West 
Chester. All were in favor of maintaining the Union at whatever 
cost, no matter what might become of slavery. The result of the 
meeting Avas the organization of the West Chester Union League, 
which adopted a constitution and by-laws, the condition of mem- 
bership in the league being unqualified loyalty to the government 
and unwavering support of that government in its efforts to sup- 
press the Eebellion. There was also formed a Union League of 
^Vesttown and Thornbury, a meeting for the purpose of organiza- 
tion being held at the house of David H. Taylor, April 25, 1863, at 
the call of Robert H. Miller, John Q. Taylor, Charles E. Heister, 
Joseph H. Briuton, Caleb II. Cox and many others. 

In May, 1863, the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Pennsyl- 
vania militia, nine months' men, returned home, receiving a warm 
welcome. The marshal of the day upon which they arrived, Mon- 
day, May 18, was Captain William Apple, and the committee of ar- 
rangements for the reception of the returning soldiers was com- 
posed of Colonel R. Maris Frame, Bentley Worth and S. S. Heed 
from the borough council of West Chester, and H. S. Evans, Cap- 
tain William Apple, Colonel T. Hyatt, William F. Wyers, Maris 
T. Chandler and W. E. Burlin of the Union League. The regi- 
ment reached West Chester at 2 p. m. and almost immediately 
partook of a hearty collation prepared by the patriotic ladies of 
West Chester and vicinity in the market house and were wel- 
comed home in a neat and eloquent address by Judge Butler. It 
was an occasion long to be remembered by those present. Tlie 
Delaware companies remained in West Chester until next day, 
when they went to Media and had a warm reception in Everett 
Grove.. 



296 CHESTER COIXTY 

« 

Preparatory to another draft Captain E. L. Christman, provost 
marshal of Chester Couuty, appointed eni'olling officers for each 
township and borough in the county and made Lieutenant William 
D. Christman of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment, 
liis brother, one of his deputies and George W. Downing and P. W. 
Ash clerks. It was not long after this before the entire country wa^s 
alarmed by General Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, in anticipation 
of which Governor Curtin, on June 12, called out the entire militi;i 
of the State. On the 15th he sent a telegram to Colonel Joseph W. 
Hawley to "(Jo to work at oncel Call out the One Hundred and 
Twenty-fourth Regiment," &c. Lee was then invading Pennsyl- 
vania and on the 16th there was a grand rally of the people ol 
Chester County. The bells on the court-house and churches rang 
out the alarm, the streets were soon filled with people, farmers 
came into West Chester direct from the fields of peaceful labor 
and an impromptu meeting was held at the court-house, at which 
Judge Butler and Messrs. Darlington, MacVeagh, Everhart, Towns- 
end and others made brief but eloquent appeals to the people to 
rush to arms, for it was thought General Lee would cross Chester 
County on his way to take and sack Philadelphia. Arrangements 
were at once made to enlist and send forward all the troops possi- 
ble, the captains of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment, 
just mustered out of service, endeavoring to collect and organize 
their former comrades. Early on Wednesday morning, June 17, 
men came into town in squads of various sizes from all parts of the 
county with tlieir knapsacks on their backs. They kept coming 
in all day, and at 5 p. m. several companies left their quarters, 
marched to the depot and took the train for Harrisburg, their 
numbers being augmented at Downingtown, Coatesville, Parkes- 
burg and Penningtonville. At 5 o'clock next morning they arrived 
at Harrisburg. The captains of companies formerh- belonging 
to the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment that went out at 
this emergency call were C. W. Roberts, W. M. ffinkson, E. F. 



AXD /7",s' PEOPLE. 297 

James aud W. T\'. Scott, and besides them there were Captains C. 
W. Thomas of the Second Pennsylvania militia, Wayne MacVea<ili 
of the Pennsylvania cavalry and J. H. Thorp, who also had a com- 
pany of cavalry. On Thnrsday Captain J. B. Everhart, then late 
of the Tenth Pennsylvania militia, left Avith his company, and the 
uprising was the same all over the county. At Coatesville, Down- 
ingtown, Parkesburg, Penuingtonville, Kenuett Square, Phoenix- 
ville, Oxford and all other towns and villages men and women 
Avere alive to the situation and active in taking such measures as 
they could for the defense of the State. At Coatesville Capt<ain 
W. Tv. Ash raised a full company, and Steel & Worth and Pennock 
& Bro. put out the fires in their rolling mills, mai'shaled their men 
and led them forth to do battle for their country. At Downingtown 
Captain -J. A. Eicholtz raised a company and was soon on his way 
to Harrisburg. Kennett Square was fully alive, tlie Quakers in 
that part of the county turned out, organized a company, which im- 
mediately took up its line of march. Aud James Maxton and 
Isaac Wiekersham marshaled the yeomen of the Marlboroughs. 

On June 20 Governor Curtin called for 00,000 three months' 
men and a committee was appointed by the citizens of West 
Chester consisting of Washington Townsend, William Darlington, 
David McConkey, W. E. Barber, J. Smith Futhey, Captain William 
Apple, William Butler, P. F. Smith, James H. Bull, Dr. J. B. 
Wood, Henry S. Evans, Henry Buckwalter aiid George W. Pearce, 
which committee issued a call for volunteers. The commissioners 
of the county offered each volunteer a bounty of |15, to be paid im- 
mediately upon his being sworn into the service of the State, 
under this call. Several gentlemen began raising companies and 
almost immediately after the call was made John W. Davis had a 
company ready, named the Anthony Wayne Guards and belonging 
in Tredyffrin Township. Under this call for 00,000 men the quota 
of Chester County was 881 men. Up to Friday, July 3, five full 
companies of three months' men had left the county for the de- 



298 CHESTER COUNTY 

fense of the State, those of Guss, Cochran, Roberts, Stott and 
Davis, and on Saturday, the 4th, the sixth company, that of Cap- 
tain Stncldand of Oxford, left the county. But then, of course, 
the emergency that called forth all this activity had passed, for on 
that day General Lee was defeated by General Meade at Gettysburg 
and was en route for Virginia. 

On July 5, Sunday, about 1,500 paroled Union prisoners taken 
in the first day's battle at Gettysburg came into West Chester, be- 
longing to the First and Eleventh Corps, a number of them 
wounded. The wounded ones were given quarters in the gym- 
nasium at the Normal School, the others being taken to the Agri- 
cultural Fair Grounds, where they remained rnitil the 10th, when 
they Avere transferred to the new camp grounds on the new 
railroad, about a mile and a half southeast of West Chester. 

Some short time before these stiiTing times a Mr. Beugless 
opened an enrollment list f(ir colored soldiers, in two weeks secur- 
ing nearly 100 names of colored men willing to fight for their coun- 
try, and took them to the new camp mentioned above on the new 
railroad, the camp being on the farm of Abraham Williams. On 
July 14 Frederick Douglas delivered an address in the Horticul- 
tural Hall in West Chester for the purpose of encouraging enlist- 
ments on the part of members of his race. 

In the draft which began in West Chester August 4, 1863, and 
which was conducted throughout the county at different places at 
different times until early in October, there were drawn 1,789, of 
which nvimber 1,640 procured exemption from service in one 
way or another, either because they were the only support of a 
widowed mother, from physical disability, from furnishing a sub- 
stitute, or from the payment of the amount reqiiired by the Gov- 
ernment as an equivalent. 

Under the call of February 1, 1864, by the President of the 
United States, for 500,000 men, Chester County filled her quota in 
large part by re-enlisted men and volunteers. Each man enlisting 



''■-o*.^ ^'^^j^^/^^xi 




^^-^^:¥>^ 



1. MARY DOD BROWN CHAPEL. 
2. LINCOLN HALL. 

3. CRESSON HALL. 

4. HOUSTON HALL. 

5. UNIVERSITY HALL. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 301 

uuder this call became entitled to a count}- bounty of |350, this 
policy being determined on by the county commissioners imme- 
diately after the President's call. One hundred dollars of the 
money was paid in cash, and |250 was given in county bonds. If 
anyone preferred a'll cash, be was paid .f337.50 in that way, a dis- 
count of five per cent, being charged for the payment of the |250. 
The entire amount of the bounty paid reached somewhere between 
P50,000 and |400,000. Quite a number of colored men joined the 
ranks under this call, and were highly pleased at the receipt of the 
"Greenbacks," so large a pile of which they had never before seen. 
The commissioners said, after experimenting with tliis method of 
I'aisiug the county's quota, "Chester County is the first in the State 
to fill her quota," and of course it was said with no little satisfac- 
tion and pride. 

As is well remembered, the winter of 1864-65 was the one dur- 
ing which the men at the front re-enlisted, or veteranized, as many 
of them preferred to call it. This has been hinted at above. The 
Ninety-seventh Eegiment came home to veteranize in April, 1864, 
reaching West Chester April 9. They were heartily welcomed by 
the citizens, the address of welcome being delivered by Rev. W. E. 
Moore. After a month spent at home on furlough those who had re- 
enlisted left West Chester for the field on May 9. The Brandywine 
Guards, Co. A of the First Pennsylvania Reserves, reached West 
Chester from the field June 8, being welcomed in a neat and 
eloquent speech by Dr. Wilmer Worthington and being afterward 
addressed by General McCall, who complimented them highly on 
their services to the government. The ladies of the borough gave 
them a dinner at the Noi'mal School. 

In July, 1864, the rebels made an invasion into Maryland, 
causing great excitement throughout the State of Pennsylvania. 
Governor Curtin called for 12,000 men for one hundred days on 
July 5, and on the 10th of the month a large meeting was held at 
the court-house, at which a committee was appointed to raise 
18 



302 CHE.^TER COUXTY 

about 700 men for Chester County, this committee consisting' of 
William Darlington, General George A. McCall, Dr. Wilmer 
Worthington, Henry K. Guss, George F. Smith, Colonel Francis C. 
Hooton, Galusha Pennypacker, Enoch E. Lewis, Mott Hooton, 
William McConnell, Washington Townsend, William B. Waddell, 
Townsinid Haines, and Daniel McConkey. Colonel Hooton called 
on his old regiment, the One Hundred and Seventy-flfth, and Major 
Everhart made a similar call on the One Hundred and Twenty- 
fourth, Colonel Henry K. Guss endeavored to rally his battery, and 
Mr. Beugless was authorized to raise a regiment of colored men, 
and in order to do this a meeting was held at the court-house July 
14, at which Rev. John Brown (colored) presided. 

A company of one hundred days' men left West Chester July 
22, uniting at camp Cadwallader with a companj- from Delaware 
County. On July 18, 18(34, the President made a call for 300,000 
men, and by October 4, nearly all of the to\A'nships in Chester 
County had their quotas full, only eighty-four men being still 
required. Under the call of December 19, 18(54, for 300,000 men, 
Chester and Delaware Counties were required to furnish 1,121 raen^ 
the propor-tion from Chester County being 740. This quota was 
never filled, for after the surrender of Lee on April 0, orders were 
issued from Washington to discontinue the draft and to stop 
enlistments, as it was known the war was then practically at an 
end. 

There was great rejoicing throughout Chester County on 
April 3 and 4, the news having reached there that Ivichmond had 
fallen. The court-house bell and the church bells rang out the 
glad tidings, which spread with great rapidity throughout the 
county, cannon boomed, flags wei'e thrown to the breeze, farmers 
rushed into the county seat, to learn the particulars, and crowds 
surrounded the telegraph office to learn the latest reports from the 
seat of war. Speeches were made to suit the occasion by Colonel 
Hooton, Wayne McVeagh, Dr. Worthington, Dr. Taylor and others. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 303 

and ou Tuesday night, April 4, tiie private aud public buildings 
were illuminated in honor of the event. 

On April 10, upon receipt of the news of the surrender of Lee, 
the provost marshal fired a salute of 200 guns, and Colonel Hyatt's 
battery, one of 100 guns. The band marched all through the town 
playing patriotic airs, and everj-one was full of gladness. The 
news of Lee's surrender was brought to West Chester on Monday 
morning in advance of telegraphic reports, by two colored men, 
Samuel J. Williams and Alexander Gladman, who left Philadel- 
phia at 2 o'clock in the morning, and William Darlington, chief 
burgess of the borough, allowed these colored men to first ring the 
court-house bell, announcing the news to the people. 

Ou April 14, the last day of the draft in Chester and Delaware 
Counties, four men were drafted in Darby, eighteen in Elk, four in 
New Garden and eight in West Brandywine. 

Then came the news of the assassination of Lincoln, which 
spread the deepest gloom over a triumphant aud happy land. 
Commenting on this great crime the Village Eecord said: "In this 
sudden death of President Lincoln we are forced to the conviction 
that it is the hand of Providence. By God were the Pilgrim Fath- 
ers guided to the shores of America — by God were they protected 
from savage foes — by Him were they made a great nation, and by 
Him slavei'y has now almost been blotted out. Abraham Lincoln 
was but His instrument. He is now been taken and another great 
man, Andrew Johnson, takes up the work yet to be done!" 

The war was over. Chester County had done her duty nobly 
during the ordeal through which the country had passed. While 
there was a large number of persons in the county who were con- 
scientiously opposed to bearing arms, yet most of them without 
any other thought than the jireservation of the Union from dis- 
ruption, took up arms in its defense, and fought as hard as any, 
many of them laying down their lives during the conflict. Their 
zeal aud courage were equal to the bravest in the ranks or in com- 



304 . CHESTER C0UX7T 

mission, and all are to-daj- proud of the record that they in com- 
mon with other citizens of the county- made. Under the last call 
of the President the proportion of the county to be drafted was less 
than that of any other county in the State. There had been at 
work throughout the war about forty aid societies, through which 
the people had contributed clothing, food, nurses, etc., without 
complaint and without stint, to the sick and wounded in the hospi- 
tal and in the field. It is a record of which all will always be 
proud so long as history shall be read, and so long as men are will- 
ing to die for the preservation of their country and the rights and 
liberties which it confers upon them and protects them in enjoying. 
"While it is impracticable to give the precise number of soldiers 
furnished to the army during the war of the Eebellion, yet it 
may be stated that, making due allowance for re-enlistments and 
recounts, the number of names which appear on the several mus- 
ter rolls is 6,73G. vSome of these enlisted twice, some three times, 
and some perhaps more than three times, taking into consideration 
the numerous emergency cases that arose in Pennsylvania more 
than in any other Northern State, occasioned by the invasion 
of the State by the rebel armies, and several threatened invasions 
where no actual invasion occuiTed. Then in case of promotions 
the same soldier's name necessarily occurs at least twice, in the 
same company or regiment, and in such instances the tendency in 
counting the names would lead to an excess greater than that due 
to re-enlistments. Therefore it may perhaps be stated that the 
probable number of different soldiers belonging to Chester County 
in the war was not far from (5,000. 

This number cannot seem extravagant, for in the Ninety-sev- 
enth Eegiment alone there were in the aggregate 2,034 men, includ- 
ing volunteers, drafted men and substitutes. Of these sixty-nine 
were killed, and sixty-eight died of wounds. One hundred and 
sixty-six died of disease, and finally 701 were mustered out 

It would seem eminently proper in tJiis connection to make 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 305 

brief mention of a few of the men tliat made Chester County fa- 
mous in the war. Of these, Brev. Major-General Henry R. Guss, 
first colonel of the Mnety-Seventh Regiment, may well be mentioned 
first, as he was one of the first to be prominently connected with 
the movement to raise troops in Cliester County. He raised a com- 
pany of men almost immediatelj' after the President's first call 
for militia, and became its captain. This was Company A, Ninth 
Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, three months' men. Upon return- 
ing from this service he raised the Ninety-seventh Regiment, hav- 
ing been commissioned colonel in July, and leading his regiment to 
the field in November, 1861. He was ordered to the Department 
of the South and was brigaded under Gen. Wright, and com- 
manded his regiment in the expedition resulting in the capture 
of Fernandina, Florida, and other important points on the coast of 
that state. He served through the James Island campaign with 
marked ability until July, 1862, when he was assigned to the com- 
mand of Hilton Head, retaining this command until October, when 
he returned to the command of his own regiment. In April, 1863, 
Col. Guss was assigned to the command of the First 
Brigade, Tei*ry's Division, Tenth Army Corps, in the expedition 
against Charleston, and afterward he was assigned successively 
to the posts of Edisto, Botany Bay and St. Helena Islands, and 
later, when the assault on Fort Wagner was ordered, Col. Guss 
was selected to command the advance storming party, containing 
300 men of his own regiment and 300 of the Third New Hamp- 
shire regiment. The following October the Ninety-seventh was 
ordered to Fernandina, Florida, and its colonel to the command of 
the forces at that place, and there he remained until April, 1864, 
and then received leave of absence to accompany the veterans 
home on furlough. Rejoining his regiment at Bermuda Hundred 
in May, he was assigned to the First brigade. Third division. Tenth 
Army Corps, retaining this position during active operations on 
the south side of the James. He was then relieved of his command 



3o6 CHESTER COIXTY 

for alleged disobedience of oi'ders, which was never proved and 
was not true, but on account of this injustice he resigned his com- 
missiou and returned to his homo, liis resignation bearing date 
June 2, 1804. 

Charles Frederick Taylor, brother of Bayard Taylor, was an- 
other brave soldier from Chester County. Immediately after the 
attack on Fort Sumter young Taylor raised a company of young 
men of the vicinity of Kennett Square, who elected him cap- 
tain, took the company to Harrisburg, and had it incorporated 
into tlie famous l?u<ktail regiment. After the battle of AutJetam 
he was promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment, to fill 
the vacancy' occasioned by the death of Colonel McNeil. 
He was the youngest colonel in the Army of the Potomac, and Gen- 
eral Meade pronounced him one of the most promising young offi- 
cers in the service. In the battle of Gettysburg, on July 2, 186:5, 
when in advance of his column, encouraging his men to attempt to 
"take them all prisioners," he was shot through the heart by a rebel 
sharpshooter. His I'emains were interred in Longwood Cemetery, 
where a beautiful monument, purchased by the surviving officers 
and men of his regiment, was erected over his grave. 

Colonel Henry M. Mclntyre died at Baltimore, Maryland, from 
wounds received in the Seven Days' battles, his death occurring 
January 14, 1863. He was wounded in the ankle, which rendered 
amputation of the leg necessary. He was a native of Cecil County, 
Maryland, was a graduate of Yale, began the study of law in New 
Haven, tinishing with Joseph J. Lewis in ^^'est Chester, was 
admitted to the bar and opened an office in the latter place. He 
joined the Brandywine Guards upon their organization, was made 
captain of the company, which united with the First Pennsylvania 
Reserves, of which regiment he was made lieutenant-colonel, and 
after leaving Camp Wayne, the regiment was joined to the Penn- 
sylvania Reserve Corps under General McCall. 

Major-General George A. McCall secured the organization of 



AXn ITS I'EOl'LE. 307 

the thirteen Pennsylvania regiments, and was invited by Governot 
Curtin to accept the position of major-general, to which he con- 
sented, and was commissioned on May 16, 1861. On the same day 
he entered upon the command of the Reserve Corps, the history of 
which is well known to readers of the history of the war. He im- 
mediately organized fifteen regiments of troops in the manner pro- 
vided for tlie law, and throughout the war for the Union per- 
foriiH'd valiant luid valuable services to the cause. 

Lieut.-Col. Thomas S. Bell was another hero of the war. He 
was born in West Chester, May 12, 1838, and was a lineal descend- 
ant of Col. Joseph McClellan, who was a Revolutionary soldier, 
serving under Gen. Wayne in the battle of Brandy wine. He 
studied law under the instruction of his father, Hon. Thomas S. 
Bell, and was admitted t<> the bar in 1859. Mandi 11, 18.j8, he was 
commissioned aid-de-camp to the major-general of the Third 
Division of the uniformed militia of Chester and Delaware Coun- 
ties, and was appointed paymaster of the same division with the 
rank of major, October 3, 1859. 

When the war of the Rebellion broke out he was among the 
first to respond to his country's call, and was made adjutant of the 
Ninth Pennsylvania three months' men. Later he was commis- 
sioned by the governor of the State lieutenant-colonel of the Fifty- 
first Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, and at Roanoke Island had 
command of a portion of the regiment. At Newbera he had com- 
mand of the regiment, and being ordered to charge the enemies' 
batteries, captured the first battery and was the first man to mount 
it. At Camden he had command of the brigade to which his regi- 
ment belonged, the brigade leading the charge. At Antietam he 
was killed after the capture of the stone bridge, September 17, 
1SC2. His loss was deeply felt, for he was not only a brave soldier, 
but he had endeared himself to all whose acquaintance he had 
formed, not only those inferior to him in i^osition, but also to those 
of superior rank. His remains were brought to West Chester, and 



3o8 CHESTER COUNTY 

lie buried in Oaljland Cemetery, where it was his wish to be laid. 

Col. Augustus P. Duer entered West Point military academy 
July 1, 1837, and after leaving that institution aided, as a civil engi- 
neer, in laying out the railroad from West Chester to Philadelphia 
by way of Media. When the war of the Eebellion broke out ho 
promptly responded to the call of duty, and was appointed Lieut.- 
Colouel of the Xiuety-seveuth Peuusylvauia volunteers, October 7, 
1861. He was in command of tlie regiment a portion of the time 
while it was in Camp Wayne; at Hilton Head, South Carolina, in 
September, 1862; at Seabrook Island in Maj, 1863; and at St. 
Helena, South Carolina, from June 20, 1863, to September 20, fol- 
lowing. He was honorably discharged April 3, 1864, from which 
time to his death, March 29, 1898, he lived quietly at Atglen, Ches- 
ter County. 



CHAPTER Vlll. 

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR CAUSE OK THE WAR CALL FOR TROOPS — COM- 
PANY I OF THE SIXTH — ROSTER OF THE COMPANY RECRUITS — COM- 
PANY D OF PHCENIXVILLE THE NEW COMPANY COLORED RE- 
CRUITS OTHER VOLUNTEERS EFFORTS OF THE WOMEN 

BATTERY C GENERAL PENNYPACKER. 

WHEN the war broke out betweeu the United States au<l 
Spain Chester Coiiutv was not less ]iatriotie tlian in tU" 
wars that had gone before. This war with Spain was brought 
about by reason of the failure of President McKinley, through 
the most patient and persistent efforts known to diploiuaer, to 
secure relief to the people of Cuba from the horrible cruelties of 
concentration by which they were brought to starvation, disease 
and death by the hundreds of thousands, including old men, 
women and children, and also by reason of the destruction of the 
United States battleship Maine, in the harbor of Havana, by a 
submarine mine, on February 15, 1898, two of the officers and 264 
of the men of the Maine being crushed and drowned to death. 
A Court of Inquiry Avas appointed by the President, which, after 
twenty-three days of continuous labor, reached the conclusion that 
the Maine was not destroyed through any interior explovsion or 
accident, for which any of her officers or men were responsible, 
thus fixing the responsibility by imiJlication and inference on 
some agent of the Spanish government. On April 11, 1898, Presi- 
dent McKinley transmitted this report to Congress, and asked that 
he be authorized and empowered to employ the army and navy of 

3" 



312 CHESTER COUNTY 

the United States to secure the termination of hostilities between 
Spain and the people of Cuba, and to carry into effect on the island 
the establishment of a stable government, capable of maintaining 
order, observing international obligations, and securing tranquil- 
lity and peace. In accordance with a joint resolution of Con- 
gress, passed April 19, 1898, the President on April 20 sent an ulti- 
matum to the Spanish government, requiring it to withdraw its 
laud and naval forces from Cuban waters, with which that govern- 
ment declined to comply. 

War was therefore formally declared by Congress April 25, 
and in the meantime the people of Chester County were taking 
Ijroper measures to enlist their quota of men when the anticipated 
call should be made. Company I of the Sixth Regiment, National 
Guards of Pennsylvania, had everything jjacked ready to move 
into camp by April 21, and on Ai)ril 23, the President of the United 
States issued a proclamation calling for 125,000 troops for two 
years, unless sooner discharged Under this call the quota of 
Pennsylvania was 10,762. April 26 Col. Perry M. Washabaugh 
received orders from Brigadier-General John W. Schall to move 
the Sixth Eegiment to Mount Gretna, on Thursday morning, April 
28, and on that morning, an unusually inclement one for the season,. 
Company I of West Chester marched through the streets of that 
place to the train at the Gay Street crossing, accompanied by about 
2,000 people, including 100 veterans of the war of the Rebellion, 
and the West Chester Band. Following is the roster of the com- 
pany as it left West Chester: 

Captain — Gibbons Gray Cornwell. 

First Lieutenant — Granville S. Bennett. 

Second Lieutenant — Herman J. Smith, 

Quartermaster-Sergeant — G. H. Hazard. 

Sergeants — George A. Black, Charles W. Reagan, George B. 
McCormick. 

Corporals — T. Lincoln Ingram, Nathaniel Leaf, William 



AXD JT(<! PEOPLE. SU 

Tbomp.sou, Grauville Pratt, Roskell Woodward, Fulton Beatty, 
Frank Missimer. 

Privates — Howard Beatty, P. T. Conner, George Budd, George 
G. Cardwell, Jr., Joseph Chase, Vim. D. Cornwell, Joseph Cudlipp, 
William Cndlipp, James Dooley, Thomas Fullertou, George Gar- 
rett, Howard Garrett, Joseph Hemphill, E. D. Hemphill, Jr., Frank 
C. Harp, William Johnson, William Kane, John S. Clark, Paul 
Ludwick, Alexander McCausland, William McConnell, P. H. Gib- 
bons, W. H. Graham, Charles Murtagh, Hariw C. Xields, John 
Painter, Edmund D. Painter, Warren Sliarpe, George Eupert, 
James McC. D. Euth, H. T. Lear, Herbert T. Yance, Leon Lys- 
ter, Lewis Good, Frank Brown, Edward Manley, Arlington Cani- 
zares, Abram Darlington, H. T. Cunningham, C. F. Kellings, Frank 
H. Diesem, Charles Bennett, George Hoffman, Carl Schrader. 

Cooks — Clement Tuck and William Callahan of Wayne; Fred 
Deery of West Chester. The latter will serve the officers. 

Company I, as a part of the Sixth Regiment, left camp at 
Mount Gretna along witli the Eighth, Twelfth and Thirteenth 
Regiments, on May 19, 1898, for Falls Church, Virginia, which 
place is within about eiglit miles of Washington, District of Co- 
lumbia, and here it is necessary to take leave of the soldiers from 
Chester County, so far as this work is concerned, for they are 
undoubtedly to go South, and perhaps to Cuba. 

On May 7, 1898, twenty-nine young men left West Chester to 
unite with Company I, a crowd of several hundred people bidding 
them adieu at the railway station. The list of those who thus 
went out to Join the company is as follows: 

Sanford Singer, Percy S. Darlington, Norman D. Gray, J. Bert 
Smith, James Rox, Ralph Wood, Eugene Boyles, Martin Echoff, 
William M. Sager, Jacob S. Smith, Augustus Michiner, Edward H. 
Musser, James H. Varnum, Harry C. Kugel, Fred W. Guie, Wilfred 
G. Priest, William S. Baird, Rufus T. Cheyney, William G. Middle- 
ton, William Armour, James A. Riley, Henry F. Taylor, Franklin 



314 CHESTER COUNTY 

H. Long, John P. Haves, Joseph H. Bahlwin, Charles B. Heck, Wil- 
liam Fisher, Alfred Barrv, Bentley Foster and Horace Brinton. 

By June 25, 1898, other recruits uniting with this company 
brought its number up to 110. 

Phoenixville sent out Company I) to the war, the roster of 
which was as follows: 

Captain — Louis R. Walters. 

First Lieutenant — Frank M. Crossman, 

iSecond Lieutenant — Wm. A. Gilbert. 

First Sergeant — Wm. A. March. 

Sergeants — Horace Seigfried, Kalston Lambkin, James Mor- 
timer, George L. Walters. 

Corporals — William Hertinstine, John W^adsworth, Fred Kar- 
rer, Wm. Kirkner, James Carlin, Harry McDonald, Charles Barnes, 
Robert Dunn. 

Musicians — Frank Heist, Harry O'Koenig. 

Privates — Wm. Ashenfelter, James Barnes, Lewis Benner, 
James Bitting, Elmer Carruthers, Harry Carter, Jesse Corbet, John 
Drake, Walter Fulmer, David Fitzcharles, Charles Frick, Samuel 
Ferguson, Harry Gregory, Wm. Horner, Benj. Hallman, Wm. Kirk, 
Wm. Kuler, Harvey Mosteller, Abraham Mosteller, Richard March, 
Luther Moses, Lorenzo Neiman, John J. Robinson, Frank E. Quay, 
John Swartley, Wm. Swartley, George Shoemaker, John Simmers, 
Wm. Shaner, John Stewart, W^m. Stern, Julius Sockel, Chas. Sper- 
ick, Herman Springer, Ed Shoffner, James Turish, James Winters, 
Howard McClaskey, Bernard Gillen, Irvin Ziegler, Daniel Ottinger. 

Immediately after the departure of Company I for Mount 
Gretna, Capt. Sharpless M. Paxtou and Lieut. St. Julien Ogier, for- 
merly of that company, began to raise a company to take the 
place of Company 1, and if necessary to make up the State's quota, 
to take the new company to the front. The following list of mem 
bers was enrolled in the new company by April 29, 1898: 

S. M. Paxson, St. Julien Ogier, J. H. Varnum, Harry C. Kugel, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 31 5 

H. Ilowanl Plank, Edward S. Turner, Frank L. Elliott, Frank K. 
Burnett, Trevor H. Dawson, Granville T. Mitchell, F. W. Wood- 
ward, AVilfred G. Priest, Isaac Lawrence, Joseph H. Hunt, Howard 
W. Sharpe Jr., Win. J. Cobourn, J. Hayes Still, W. T. Hunt, Howard 
Hawley, Jos. H. Baldwin, T. L. Eyre, George W. Griffith, Norris S. 
Ingram, James B. Fisher, Lewis H. Miller, O. F. Groff, John G. Au- 
dress, Uuionville; L. Walter vJarrett, Harry ("obb, Wra. M. Bleukin, 
J. F. Shields, John Kerwin, Harry B. Kussell, Amos K. Mackie, 
Edward B. Musser, E. B. Ferrell, Philip H. S?Mith, Clinton J. 
Lacey, Thomas M. Hayes, Glen Loch; John F. Hayes, Harry S. 
Williams, James A. Burns, William A. Webb, W. F. Musser, E. A. 
Hodgson, Jr., E. M. Boyles, H. B. Moore, Henry B. Guss, Jr., 
Lemuel H. Kenny, Percy Darlington, John A. Jackson, F. W. 
Guie, Martin Echoff, David Jones, J. Bert Smith, George C. Guss, 
John P. Hayes, Edward H. Hayes, John F. Byan, Bentley W. Fos- 
ter, James K. Box, William Miller, Greene Hill, William Armour, 
John F. Barry, Albert Biles, Clyde S. Hannum, Van Wyck Bull 
Ralph Wood, H. O. Beaumout, Clarence Beaumont, James A. 
Riley, Wilmer W. Miller, John F. Woodhouse, Maryatt Paxson,, 
P. W. Hoopes, Jr., E. 1). Hoopes, Hamorton, M. P. McFadden, 
W. S. Snead, Harry Clower, Thomas Ford, Fred Ginceley, Charles 
McCorkle, John Douglass, Sanford Singer, Ralph Beekman. Melvin 
C. Musser, Washington Sellers, John C. Brennan, William G. Mid- 
dleton, Harry D. Lewis, Curtis H. H. Reeder, Addison M. Reeder, 
Harry Black, Harry J. Wickersham, Glen Hall, Frank A Smith, 
Jesse W. Dilworth, Fred H. Lewis, George Ford, Willard J. Smith, 
Howard Hetherington, Joseph W. Clark, Benjamin S. Hughes, 
William Bartholomew, William M. Hutton, John T. Hazard, 
Michael F. Marra, Frank H. Long, Thomas S. Lack and Albert M. 
Ingram. 

This company was then drilled for some time in the armory of 
Company I, in order that if called upon they might be ready to 
move at a moment's notice. On May 20, 1898, word was received 



3i6 CHESTER COUNTY 

that this company had been accepted and would form a portion 
of the First Brigade of the new provisional guard, the First Bri- 
gade to be commanded by Col. Edward Morrell. 

On May 25, 1898, President McKinley issued a call for 75,000 
moi'e men, under which Pennsylvania was required to furnish 
eighteen companies. Under this call Capt. Paxson's company 
was called upon to join the regiment under Col Morrell of Philadel- 
phia. 

On April 29, the next day after Company I left West Chester, 
a call was made for colored men to enlist in the war by J. S. Prigg, 
■who had his office at the corner of Market and Matlack Streets. 
A company was raised and became Company L, First Regiment 
Penusjlvania Colored Volunteers. The famous old Liberty Cornet 
Baud, which has recently acquired a high state of efficiency, also 
united with the First Eegiment, accepting an invitation extended 
to them by Col. James E. Gillespie of this regiment. This com- 
pany's enrollment was as follows: 

Captain — John S. Prigg. 

First Lieutenant — Thomas H. Derry. 

Second Lieutenant — John M. Boardley. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant — Harry A. Clark. 

Sergeants — John Bond, Franklin Curry, Nathan Prigg, Eu- 
gene Bell, Joseph H. Jones, George Henry. 

Corporals — William E. Curry, George Wilson, William H. 
Price, Clifford Washington, Isaac Fullerton, John E. Clark, Eugene 
A. Biddle. 

Musicians — Frederick Burton, James Williams. 

Privates — L. Sadler, John Dorsey, Wesley Denny, Isaac Har- 
ris, H. B. Walker, Thomas Wesley, Newton Eichardson, John Wes- 
ley, Elwood Spriggs, John Chrisman, Walter Washington, Walter 
Herod, Fred Goines, Isaac Moore, Jones Wilson, Linford Eeed, 
Jesse Kelly, Wellington Kelly, John L. Price, Percy D. Morgan, 
George H. Eicketts, Harry Johnson, T. Cheyney Lewis, .Jesse Eeese, 




% 




AND /T.Sf PEOTLE. 319 

Eugene Cole, Benjamin F. Spriggs, Chas. E. Pierce, Charles Pen- 
nington, William Wilson, L. Willis Denny, Charles Shirley, George 
Beckett, Wm. T. Fitzgerald, Henry Watkins, Frank Reed, George 
Trowery, John F. Boyer, Henry Derry, Jos. Jones, Harry Hall, 
Joseph W. Sharp, Albert Kelly, Harry Thomas, Acre Jacobs, 
James Davis, John H. Price, Lewis Hickson, George Dennis, John 
Conway, Chas. Fields, George Boyer, Owen States, Jos. Harrod, 
Charles Anderson, Harry Fullertoii, .Jolm .Johnson, William Peach, 
Fred Spence, Jesse Johnson, -James Waruick, Thomas Burnett, 
John Goodwin, Jacob C. Borton, George Young. 

Drum major, Herman W. Spence; bandmaster, Wilson Luff; 
first musician, William T. Burton; second musician, -Jacob Milby; 
sergeant, George Boardley; William Washington, Charles Esley, 
Frank Bell, William B. Gibbs, Harry M. Petersan, Amos Fairfax, 
Charles Bostic, Clarence Cooper, Keuben Washington, Fred B. Fry, 
liichard Thomas, James Miller, Harry Miller, William Spence, 
Steven Boardley, John Thomas, William Curiy, -John Clark, Wm. 
A. Biddle. 

On June 14, 1898, twenty -seven young men left West Chester 
for Camp Alger, near Falls Church, Virginia, their names being 
as follows, together with the companies to which thej'^ were 
assigned : 

Company I — -James Kenworthy, John Kelleher, Mayfield 
Weidler, Charles M. Clark, Charles G. Zook, John C. Kacy, Law- 
rence A. Sullivan, Hayes Miller, all of Coatesville; Harry L. Esray, 
William M. Blenkin, -John F. Duuleavy, William Burt Bi*own, 
James A. Burns, Joseph J. Finegan, James Frank Taylor, West 
Chester; Darlington F. Hannum, Poc.opson; James W. Dorat, 
Charles A. Lightcap, George W. Berkenheiser, of Dowiugtown; 
Warren B. Pechin, Sylvester Detterliue, Strafford; -James C. Rob 
eils, Bondsville. 

Company C — John L. McLear, Lewis H. Shank, Addison M. 
19 



320 CHESTER COUNTY 

Keeder, of West Chester; Edward P. Harrison, Eber S. Nether v, 
Longwood. 

Company H — John Francis Barry of West Chester. 

John N. Guss, a young member of the Chester County bar, 
enlisted in Battery A of Philadelphia, stationed at the time, June 
14, at Newport News, Virginia, and made up largely of college 
men. 

Scarcely had the soldiers left home for camp when the women 
of the county, always as patriotic as the men, began the work of 
preparing such articles of comfort as their husbands and sons 
would need while away in the service of their country. On April 
30 a number of women assembled at the house of Mrs. Charles IJ. 
Palmer in West Chester, when a temporary organization was 
effected by electing Miss Mary I. Stille, chairman, and Mrs. Ben- 
jamin Uaines, secretary. The object of the ladies present was to 
secure the making of what they called "housewives" for the sol- 
diers. At an adjourned meeting held the same day at the home of 
Mrs. L. G. McCauley, the following ladies were present: Mrs. L. G. 
McCauley, Mrs. Jerome B. Gray, Mrs. Smith, Miss Mary Bogle, Mrs. 
Chester P. Martindale, Mrs. T. Cary Carver, Mrs. William Hemphill 
(Chestnut Street), Miss Alice Hoopes, Mrs. Henry C. Wood, Mrs. 
W. C. Mullen, Mrs. W. K. Thorp, Miss Sallie Fairlamb, Mrs. Sarah 
K. Ruth, Miss Mabel James, Miss Hettie Strode, Mrs. John J. 
Gheen, Miss Sarah Bogle, Miss Worstall, Miss Stille, Miss Slonaker, 
Miss Bessie liupert. Miss Clara Hemphill, Mrs. John Thorp, Mrs. 
George W. Conway, Mrs. Charles E. Palmer, Mrs. W. C. Husted, 
Miss Ella Nields, Mrs. H. C. Cochran, Miss Lillie Hemphill, Mrs. 
E. M. Scott, Mrs. Benjamin W. Haines. 

It was the same throughout the county, the ladies taking as 
much interest in the war and in the comfort of the soldiers that 
had gone forth as any of the soldiers themselves. On May 17 there 
was a meeting of ladies in Library Hall, at which the question of 
supjjlying sanitary appliances was discussed, and it was felt tbat 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 321 

the interest the women of the county were taking in the soldiers' 
welfare would be helpful to them in every way. 

Battery C, National Guard of Pennsj'lvania, left PhoMiix- 
vllle for the front April 27, ISOS. The roster of the battery at thai 
time was as follows: 

Captain, George L. Waters, Sr.; First Lieutenant, Francis M. 
Bean; Assistant Sr. First Lieutenant, Walter Boardman; Sec. 
Lieut., Q. M., Horace H. Walters; Sec. Lient., William F. Fulmer; 
First Sergeant, John W. Shupe; Sergeants, Alexander Wilkinson, 
Jacob Bartzer, George Schenck, Charles Swier; Corporals, Charles 
T. Mayer, Lewis Williams, Irwin Yarnall, George F. Clare, .John ^V. 
Shaffer, Benjamin T. Mauley, Charles Xewhall and William Swier, 
Jr.; Musicians, Joseph B. Bailey, Lentz L. Gold and James Lewis. 

Private soldiers: Edward F. Allison, Ch.arles A. Bailey, Jacob 
R. Baum, Mahlon E. Beard, Neal Briley, John J. Byerley, Edward 
J. Drazel, Charles Davis, George C. Davis, George W. Davis, Isaac 
J. Decker, ^Villiam H. Geery, Lewis Dietrich, Sylvester Dawson, 
Carl. E. Eaby, Norwood G. Elvin, Hiram Fulton, Charles Goelz, 
Lewis Greer, Frank B. Gundy, Edward Griel, William H. Hall- 
man, William H. Hayes, Joseph L. Hendi-icks, Joseph R. Jenkins, 
William M. Koehu, John Kennedy, Da Costa Lightcap, Edward 
Longaker, Edward T. Mai'ch, Allen J. Mosteller, Isaac E. Pearson, 
Harry M. Pharoah, .James Patton, John H. Reed, Samuel H. Smith, 
Daniel S. Smith, Evan G. Speakman, -Joseph Sitler, Joseph Sho- 
walter, .John Clarence Wier, Carl Witmeyer, J. Chester Storey, 
Frederick Swiss, George H. Swiss, William H. Swier, Sr.; Frederick 
G. Trunk, Addison M. Vanderslice, John S. Walker, Isaac A. Wal- 
ters, John P. Williamson, Joseph Wall and Charles Wier. 

Ou May 3, 1S9S, Captain Waters left Phoenixville, with the 
following recruits for his company: B. F. Longacre, John Ruckles, 
Clifford J. Nix, Irvin Everhart, Jesse Hunter, Pierce Pontius, 
William Davis, Walter Seissinger, .John F. Tyson, William Hart- 
man, William Evans, .John McKeever, McClellan Currj-, George 



322 CHESTER COUNTY 

Beale, Michael McMahon, Irviu Kremer, James O'Dounell, G. ^^'. 
Whiteside, William Diamoud, August Isett, Stephen Donahue, 
W. E. Kline and George Sassaman. 

Pha^uixvillc claimed for itself the credit of raising mon' 
soldiers for the war with Spain, up to the time these recruits went 
out, than any other town of the State, in proportion to population, 
she having sent out nearly 200, her population being 0,000. 

Brevet Major-General Galusha Pennypacker, United States 
Army, one of the most distinguished soldiers of the war of the 
Eebelliou, was born in Chester County, June 1, 1844. Joseph J. 
Pennypacker, youngest son of Joseph Pennypacker, was his father, 
and during the early life of his son, Galusha, resided at Valley 
Forge. Serving on the staff of General ^Vorth during the Mexican 
war, he afterward removed to California, and there died a few years 
ago. The mother of Galusha Pennypacker, a lady of wealth and 
many accomplishments, was Tamson A. Workizer, only daughter 
of John and Sarah A. Workizer of Valley Forge. She died when 
her son, the only child, was in his infancy. The house at Valley 
Forge in which he was born was owned by his mother, was known 
as "Valley Forge Mansion,'' and was occupied by General Wash- 
ington's soldiers as a hospital during the war of the Revolution. 

Young Pennypacker received a liberal education in Chester 
County and in Philadelphia, and at the instance of his grandmother 
entered the ottice of the Chester County Times at West Chester, 
with the view of an editorial career, and was entrusted with a col- 
umn of the paper devoted to matters of interest to youthful minds. 
But an appiiintment to a cadetship at the West Point Military 
Academy having been promised him by lion. Jolm Hickman, then 
member of Congress from the Sixth District, through his uncle, 
Uriali V. Pennypacker, Esq., he would in all probability have en- 
tered the academy in ISOl or 18G2, but for the breaking out of the 
war of the Eebelliou. 

On April 22, 1861, he was mustered into the service of the 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 323 

United States as quarteraiaster-sei'geaut of the Ninth Pennsylva- 
nia Volunteer Infantn' (declining a first-lieutenancy on account of 
his youth), and acted as quartermaster of his regiment during the 
three months' service, serving with his regiment in Major-General 
Patterson's column in the Shenandoah Valley. When three years' 
troops were called out he entered the service as captain of Com- 
pany A, Ninet3'-seveuth Pennsylvania Volunteer infantry, August 
22, 1861, and on October 7, following, was promoted to major of his 
regiment. This regiment joined the Tenth Corps in the Depart- 
ment of the South, and during the years 1862 and 1863 partici- 
pated in all the movements and engagements in which that corps 
took part on the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. 

Major Penuypacker commanded the regiment and the post of 
Fernandina, Florida, in April, 1861, when that regiment was 
ordered with the Tenth Corps to Virginia, and became part of the 
Army of the James. On April 3, 1864, he was ])romoted to lieut- 
colonel, and on June 23 following, to colnuel. He was in active 
command of his regiment at Swift Creek May 9; at Drury's Bluff, 
May 16, and at Chester station, May 18. On May 20 he led his 
regiment in an assault upon the enemy's lines at Green Plains, 
Bermuda Hundred, receiving three severe wounds himself and 
losing 175 men in killed and wounded out of 21).j taken into the 
charge. Returning to duty in August, he was in actiou at Deep 
Bottom on rlie 16th of the mouth, and at Wierbottom Churcli on the 
25tli. In August and September in the treuches before Petersburg. 
Assigned to command the Second Brigade, Second Division of the 
Tenth Corps, on the 29th he led his brigade in the successful assault 
upon Fort Harrison. Here he was again wounded and had his 
horse shot under him. He was in action October 7, at Chaffin's 
Farm, and ou the 29th at Darbytuwu Ivoad. With the first Fort 
Fisher expedition under General Butler, December 1-31, 1864, 
General Pennypacker's brigade, composed of New York and Penn- 
sylvania troops, formed a portion of the expeditionary corps under 



324 CHESTER COUNTY 

command of Major-General Terry, that made the successful aud 
pei'haps the most brilliant charge of the war upon Fort Fisher, 
North Carolina, January 15, 1865. For his distinguished personal 
pallautry in this assault, in which he was most severely wounded 
(it was thought for a time mortally), aud "for gallant and merito- 
rious sei'vices during tlie war," General Peiinypacker received six 
brevets, or ](V(iiii()tious, as follows: Brevet brigadier-general of 
United States volunteers, January 15, 1865; brigadier-general of 
United States volunteers, February 18. 1865; major-general (»f 
Ignited States volunteers, March 13, 1865; colonel of the Thirty- 
Fourth (designation changed to the Sixteenth) Infantry, United 
States Army, Jnly 28, 1866; brevet brigadier-general United 
States Army, March 2, 1S(;7, and major-general United States Army, 
March 2, ISCT, and besides these six appointments he received 
the Congressional medal of honor for "bravery at the Battle 
of Fort Fisher." He was the youngest geueral officer in the war 
and the youngest man in the history (tf the regular army to be 
commissioned a colonel and brevet major-general. His command- 
ing general made theemphatic statement that General Penny- 
packer, and not himself, AAas the real hero of Fort Fisher, and that 
his great gallantry was equaled only by his modesty. 

Since the war, with the exception of two years spent in 
Europe, General Pennypacker has served in the Southern and 
Western States, performing the duties pertaining to a regimental 
aud post commander. He was temporarily in command of the 
District of the Mississippi in 1867; of the Fourth Military District 
in 1868; the Department of Mississippi in 1870; the United States 
troops in New Orleans in 1871, and the Department of the South 
in 1876. He was placed on the retired list of the regular army in 
1883, "on account of wounds received in battle," from which he 
was then and is still suffering. Since his retirement he has lived 
in Philadelphia, in the enjoyment of the greatest respect from his 
fellow citizens. The record of his deeds is his sufficient eulogy. 



CHAPTER IX. 

SLAVERY. 



CHAPTEPv IX. 

SLAVERY ENSLAVEMENT OF INDIANS — OPPOSITION OF THE NATIVES — FIRST 

NEGRO SLAVES — ORIGIN OF THE CUSTOM ABOLITION ACT OF lySo^lTS 

PROVISIONS EXPLAINED — THE REAL MOTIVES — REGISTRY OF SLAVES — 
NUMBER IN CHESTER COUNTY ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETIES — SERV- 
ANTS AND REDEMPTIONERS INDENTURES — KIDNAPPING 

RESCUES THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD ITS 

STATIONS AND BRANCHES INCIDENTS. 

SLAVERY existed, of course, in tlie colony and State of 
Pennsylvania, as it did in the other colonies of the Crown and in 
the other States after the independence of the United States 
became established. But in Pennsjdvania the enslavement of 
Indians, while somewhat common in colonies further to the south, 
was very rare. In the early part of the eighteenth century the cus- 
tom of bringing Indian slaves from Carolina into Pennsylvania 
appears to have been so extensive as to be noticeable, and as to 
give the Indians of Pennsj-lvania considerable concern; and iu 
order to allay the uneasiness of the Indians of this province the 
assembly passed the following law, which is somewhat peculiar as 
a statute, and which appears to have been misapprehended by cer- 
tain writers on local history, hence its introduction here: 

"Whereas, the importation of Indian slaves from Carolina or 
other jjlaces hath been observed to give the Indians of this province 
some umbrage for suspicion and dissatisfaction, 

"Be it enacted, etc., that from the 25th of March, 1707, no per- 
son shall import any Indian slaves or sei'vants whatsoever from 
any colony or province in America into this province, by land or 
water, such only and their children (if anj-) excepted, as for the 



328 CHESTER COUNTY 

space of one year before such importation shall be proved to have 
been menial servants in the family of the importer and are brought 
in together with the importer's family; every snch slave or servant 
so here landed shall be forfeited to the government, and shall be 
eitlier set at liberty or otherwise disposed of as the governor and 
council shall see cause." 

At that time laws passed by colonial assemblies had to receive 
the approval of the Crown before going into effect, and this law 
awaited the action of the Queen of England until 1709, when it 
became a laAv simply because it did not receive the Queen's disa]i- 
l^roval. This delay did not serve iu any manner to allay the fears 
of the Indians, and it is altogether probable tliat they were ignorant 
of its having become a law, even Mdien such was the fact. Then, 
too, it will be observed that it did not absolutely i:)rohibit the 
enslavement of Indians within the province, or at least their being 
held in slavery here. And it may be that this fact caused the 
apprehension of the Indians, which it is evident that they felt, a 
fact i)roveii by the Cnllowing narrative of an event of much iiiipor- 
taiice at the time of its occurrence: 

From this event it is clear that the Indians feared that some 
of th<^ir young pe(>])]e miglit be reduced to slavery, as Avill be seen. 
William Dalbo of Gloucester County informed the Governor that a 
belt of wampum had come from Mahquahotoni to Couestoga, that 
there was a tomahawk in red in the belt, and that the French with 
Five Nations of Indians Avere designed for war and jilanned to fail 
on some of the plantations. This information was laid by the 
Governor before the Council on April 14, together with a letter 
from Mr. Yeates, Caleb Pusey, and Thomas Powell, the letter stat- 
ing that on the next day, A^jril 15, there would be a great concourse 
of Indians, those of Conestoga and those of New Jersey, and that in 
their opinion it would be a seasonable opportunity for the Governor 
to visit them, as the meeting would be the greatest that had been 
lield in twentv vears. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 329 

It was the opinion of the board that the Governor with some 
of the Council should attend, with as many others as could be 
induced to go, and inquire further about the belt of wampum, and 
about whatever else might be thought necessary. But if the 
Governor attended this great meeting there seems to be no record 
of such visit. On the 29th of April more alarming news was 
brought to the Council as to the intentions of the Indians, and upon 
its receipt the Governor proceeded to Conestoga to meet the red 
men. Thej- appeared to be inclined to the English, but complained 
of aggresssions committed upon them by the white man. Upon 
returning from Conestoga the Governor sent Colonel French and 
Henry Wesley to the Indians in order to ascertain more fully their 
desires, and on the IGth of June these two gentlemen returned with 
eight belts of wampum, each belt having a special significance. 
The import of three of these belts is here given, as bearing some- 
what upon the question of slavery of the Indians, now under dis- 
cussion. 

The first of the three belts was from the old women, and sig- 
nified that they implored the friendship of Christians and Indians, 
that without danger they might fetch wood and water. 

The second belt was sent from their children, born and in the 
womb, requesting that room to sport and play be granted without 
danger of slavery. 

The third belt was from their young men, fit to hunt, that the 
privilege to leave their towns and seek provisions for their aged 
might be granted to them without fear of death or slavery. 

Without much research it would be difficult to state just how 
such Indians as were slaves in Chester County became slaves, and 
hence it will be stated only that seventy years after the occurrences 
above narrated, when the registration under the gradual emanci- 
pation act of 1780 was made, there were at least two Indian slaves 
in the county. 

Slavery having been abolished in this country and having 



330 CHESTER COUNTY 

become universallj considered a crime against mankind, it is but 
natural that different classes of people should strive to fasten on 
others the original guilt of bringing the first slaves to America; 
but history seems to have clearly established the fact that in 1020 
the Dutch brcnight a cargo of negroes from the coast of (luinea and 
sold a part of their cargo to the tobacco planters of Virginia at 
Jamestown. This was the beginning of slavery in British America. 
In 1790, when the first United States Census was taken, there were 
in Virginia 200,000 negroes. 

It apijears also that the Dutcdi and Swedes were the first to 
introduce slaves into Pennsylvania, bringing them in before tlie 
coming of William Penn. But in 1712 the Colonial Assembly of 
Pennsylvania passed an act to prevent the further importation of 
negroes into the province, which some time afterward was vetoed 
by the home government. Subsequently another act was passed 
with the same object in view, which was also repealed by the 
Crown. As a general thing the slaves brought into Pennsylvania 
came from the West Indies, after having undergone a process of 
seasoning, or gradual acclimation. The history of the movement 
for the abolition of slavery belongs more to general history than to 
this work; but it is eminently proper to give credit to the Friends 
or (Quakers for their efforts, which were among the first made for 
establishment of freedom for all men in this country, and were 
preceded only by those of the Mennonites. It is only proper here 
to give the result of the continued agitation of the subject of 
abolition of slavery by Friends and other large-minded and just 
men, which came in 1780, in the form of a law for the gradual 
abolition of slavery within the limits of Pennsylvania. This law 
provided tliat all negroes and mulattos born within Pennsylvania 
after its passage, which was on March 1, that year, should not 
be deemed or considered slaves for life, and that all servitude 
for life should be entirely extinguished, taken away and abolished, 
except that chihlren born within the State after the passage of the 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 33 1 

act, wlio would have been, in case the act had not been passed, 
shives for life, should be slaves until they became twentv-eijiht 
years of age, and should be held in the same manner as were 
servants then held as bound out for a term of four years. 

On the 1st of November, following the approval of the act, 
every owner of a slave was required by this law to register his 
slave or slaves in the office of the clerk of the peace of the cininty; 
that is, all that \\ ere shn>'s for life or for thirty-one years, accord- 
ing to laws as they then existed, and that all slaves who were 
not registered were to be free by the failure of the owner to register 
them on or before November 1. All children born of slaves were 
required to be registered before thej* were six months old, and they 
oul^- were to be slaves until twenty-eight years of age. Subse- 
quently a penalty was provided for forcibly or fraudulently carry- 
ing away any negro or mulatto out of the State with the design of 
selling him or her or to keep him a slave for a term of years. 

Inasmuch as in recent years it has been frequently stated by 
eminent orators and writers that the motive leading to the aboli- 
tion of slavery in the Eastern and Middle States was wholly selfish 
and mercenary, the climate and soil of those States not being 
adapted to that species of civilization; and inasmuch as many 
thousands of people have charged it upon the people of these 
States that they first sold off their slaves to the Southern States 
and then immediately favored the abolition of slavery in the South- 
ern States, it is deemed eminently projjer in this History of Chester 
County and Its People, inasmuch as the sentiment against the 
crime of slavery was to a great extent awakened and strengthened 
by the Friends of this county as well as of other portions of tlie 
Pro^■ince and State after it became a State, to set fortli in tlii,? 
connection the ti'ue motives that did actuate the people of the 
whole State in the giving of freedom to the enslaved. This can be 
done in no more forcible manner than in the quoting of the pream- 
ble to the act of March 1, 1780, which presents the reasons for the 



332 CHESTER COUNTY 

act itself, uud bears the strongest possible internal evidence of the 
sincerity and honesty of those engaged in this most meritorious 
work. That pi'eamble is as follows: 

"When we contemplate onr abhorrence of that condition to 
which the arms and tyranny of Great Britain Avere exerted to 
reduce us, when we look back on the variety of dangers to which 
we have been exposed and how miraculously our wants in many 
instances have been supplied and our deliverance wrought, when 
even hope and human fortitude have become unequal to the con- 
flict, we are unavoidably led to a serious and grateful sense of 
the manifest blessings which we have undeserA'edly received from 
the hand of that Being from whom cometh every good and perfect 
gift. Impressed with these ideas we conceive it to be our duty, 
and we rejoice that it is within our power to extend a portion of 
tliat freedom to others which hath been extended to us, and release 
from that state of thraldom to which we were ourselves diabol- 
ically doomed, and from which we have now every prospect of 
heing delivered. It is not for us to inquire why in the creation 
of mankind the inhabitants of the several parts of the earth were 
distinguished by a difference of feature or complexion. It is svif- 
ficient for us to know that all are the work of an almighty hand. 
Vi'e line! in the distributiou of tlie human species that the most 
fertile as well as the most barren portions of the earth are inhab- 
ited by men of complexions different from ours and from each 
other, from whence we may reasonably as well as religiously 
infer that Ue who i>laced them in their various situations hatli 
extended equally His care and i)rotection to all, and that it becom- 
eth nut us to counteract ITis purposes. We esteem it a peculiar 
blessing granted to us that we are enabled this day to add one more 
step to universal civilization, by removing as much as possible 
the sorrows of those who have lived in undeserved bondage and 
from which, by the assumed aiithority of the Kings of Great 
Britain, no effectual legal relief could be obtained. Weaned by 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 333 

a long course of experience from those narrow prejudices and par- 
tialities we had imbibed, we find our hearts enlarged with kindness 
and benevolence toward man of all conditions and nations; and we 
conceive ourselves at tliis particular period extraordinarily called 
upon by the blessings which we have received to manifest the 
sincerity of our profession and to give substantial proof of our 
gratitude."' 

It would appear impossible to read this statement of the rea- 
sons for the euactmeut of the law to which it is the preamble with- 
out being profoundly impressed with a lively sense of the sincerity 
of its authors. They did actually and in a most effectual manner 
manifest to the world the sincerity of their profession and give 
substantial pi'oof of their gratitude, if such a thing were ever 
done in the history of the world. If they were not sincere it would 
seem impossible to believe any man or body of men ever to have 
been sincere or to be sincere at any time or place or under any 
conditions. The authors of this preamble were the legislators of 
and for the peo^jle of the State, and it is only fair to infer that 
the people were as much in favor of granting freedom to the slave 
as were their representatives in the Assembly. Then, too, all 
of the slaves living at the time of the passage of the act were, 
according to its provisions, to remain slaves for life, hence no 
motive of gain could actuate their owners to sell them to prevent 
loss. Those who were born slaves after the passage of the act 
were to so remain until twenty-eight years of age, and a penalty 
was provided by law for anyone taking out of the State any 
slave to sell him or to hold him in slavery for life. If there 
were individuals that did this, and it is probably true that there 
were, sucli an act cannot be made to reflect upon the body of the 
people who had specially provided for its punishment; and hence 
it would seem certain that the verdict of history must always 
be to the effect that at least in Pennsylvania the emancipation of 
The slaves was wholly commendable and just and wise, not only 
in the matter itself but also in the manner. 



334 CHESTER COUNTY 

As has been stated above, .every owner of a slave in Pennsyl- 
vania was required by the act of March 1, 1780, to register his 
slaves on or before November 1, that year, and in case he failed 
to so register any slave, that slave was by such failure made free. 
In a book provided for such registry in the office of the court of 
Quarter Sessions of Chester County, the name, age, sex and time of 
service of every slave was recorded. This book of record, however, 
aijpears to have been destroyed A\ithin recent years, as it cannot 
now be found. What is here presented in regard to this registry 
is therefore taken mainly from the excellent History of Chester 
County by Judge J. Smith Futhey and Mr. Gilbert Cope, who prac- 
tically exhausted the subject. The entries in tJiis registn' were in 
the following form: 

"Thomas Potts of Coventry Township returns: 

"1. A negro man named Cudge, aged fifty-eight years, a slave 
i'or life. 

"2. A negro man named Ben, aged twenty-four years, a slave 
for life. 

"3. A negro boy named Peter, aged seventeen years, a slave 
for life. 

"4. A negro child named (ieorge, aged nine months, a slave 
for life. 

"5. A negro woman named Moll, aged thirty-four years, a 
slave for life. 

"6. A negro woman named Sail, aged nineteen years, a slave 
for life." 

"Evans Evans of London, Britain Township, returns: 

"1. A negro woman named Kachel, aged thirty-eight years, a 
slave for life. 

"2. A mulatto boy named Ca>sar, aged sixteen years, a slave 
for life. 

"3. A negro girl named Sue, aged thirteen years, a slave 
for life. 



AXD /7\S' PEOPLE. 337 

"4. A negro hoy named Samp, aged nine years, a slave for life. 

"5. A negro boy named Frank, aged seven years, a slave 
for life. 

"G. A mulatto female child named Sal, aged four years, a 
slave for life." 

"Abel Hodgson of East Xottiugbam returns: 

"1. An Indian servant man, till be attains tbe age of thirty- 
one years, named Jam, aged twenty-eight years. 

"2. An Indian girl named Sarah, aged twenty-four years, a 
slave for life. 

"3. A negro man named C<T>sar, aged twenty-five years, a 
slave for life." 

"Samuel Futbey of West Fallowtield Township returns: 

"1. A mulatto woman named Jince, aged twenty years, a 
slave for life. 

"2. A mulatto girl named Dinah, aged one year and nine 
months, a slave for life. 

"3. A mulatto girl named Sail, a slave until she attains the 
age of thirty-one years." 

At tbe time of this registration Delaware County was stiU 
a part of Chester County. In Chester County there were 205 slave- 
holders who made returns, and of these 140 resided in what is now 
Chester County. According to Dr. Smith, author of the "History 
of Delaware County," there were in the several townships which 
afterward were set off into Delaware County tbe following num- 
bers of slaves registered on or before November 1, 1780: 

SLAVES FOR SLA\'ES FOR A 

TOWNSHIP. LIFE. TERM OF YEARS. 

Aston 13 1 

Bethel 

Birmingham 

Chester 16 1 

Chichester (Upper) 

20 



338 CnESTER CQUXTY 

Chichester (Lower) 12 1 

Concord ._. 7 

Darby (Upper) 2 

Darby 2 

Edgmont 5 

Haverford 24 2 

Marple 2 

Middletown T 1 

Newtown 1 

Providence (Upper) 

Providence (Lower) 

Ridley 34 3 

Kaduor 

Springfield 10 5 

Thornbury 3 

Tiuicnm 8 2 

14G 16 

Dr. Smith says that, judging from such records as were access- 
ible to liim, there were in what is now Delaware County not less 
than 300 slaves at the breaking out of the Eevolutionary War. Th(? 
Friends had, between the beginning of the war and the time of the 
gradual emancipation act, liberated a large number of slaves, but 
the number so liberated cannot be accurately stated. 

According to Judge Futhej^ and Mr. Cope there were in the 
entire county of Chester, as then constituted, 495 slaves; hence in 
what is now Chester County there were 333; but as Futhey and 
Cope state that therei were 335, someone has made a mistake 
of two slaves. Of the total number of 495, 472 were slaves for 
life, and 23 until they arrived at the age of thirty-one years. The 
negroes numbered 410, mulattos 83, and Indians 2. Of the 472 
held for life the males numbered 243 and the females 229; and of 
those held for a term of years the males numbered 13 and the 



AXD lT>i PEOPLE. 339 

females 10. Of the whole number there were 207 over eighteen 
years of age, and 228 under eighteen. William Moore of Charles- 
town (now Schuylkill) Township, owned the oldest male slave, 
George, who was seventy-five years of age; and John Evans of 
London, Britain Township, owned Nanny, the oldest female slave, 
her age being seventy-eight. John Bowen of Goshen Township 
owned Tom, one month old, the youngest registered slave. There 
were nine slaves under one year of age and thirteen upward of 
sixty. William Moore was the largest slaveholder in the county, 
owning ten. Only eleven of the slaves registered had surnames, the 
rest being registered only by one name. 

A registi'y of those born after the passage of the act was also 
made, the number being 85, of whom 47 were males and 38 females. 
The last return made was by Eev. Levi Bull, of East Nantmeal, 
afterward Warwick, who returned his negro boy, Andrew, born 
December 23, 1820. 

It is not known when slavery ceased to exist in Chester County, 
but as there was one slave registered November 1, 1780, that was 
only one month old, that slave might have lived to 75 or 80 years 
old, or even older; and as the same thing probably occurred in other 
counties of the State, there may have been a few slaves in the State 
and even in Chester County, down to the breaking out of the Kebel- 
liou, but there probably were none after about 1810. The number 
of slaves in Pennsylvania was estimated at 10,000 in the year 1776; 
and according to the United States census for the different years 
was in 1790, 3,737; 1800, 1,706; 1810, 795; 1820, 211; 1840, 64. 

Following is a list of the townships in what is now Chester 
County with the number of slaves in each: 

Birmingham, 0; East Bradford, 0; West Bradford, 0; Coventry, 
9; Charlestown, 24; East Cain, 4; West Cain, 5; Easttown, 1; East 
Fallowfield, 7; West Fallowlield, 12; Goshen, 13; New Garden, 
1; Kennett, 3; New London, 30; London Britain, 19; Londonderry, 
20; Londongrove, 4; West Marlborough, 2; East Marlborough, 0; 



340 ClIEtiTER COiXTY 

Newlin, 0; East ^'autmeal, 14; West Nantmeal, 19; East Notting- 
ham, 26; West Nottiugham, 6; Oxford, 28; Pennsbury, 0; Pikeland, 
9; Sadsbury, 13; Tredyftrin, 23; Thornbury, 2; Uwchlan, 7; Vincent, 
0; East Whiteland, 8; West Whiteland, 11; Westtown, 1; Willis- 
town, 1. 

Besides these there vrere 13 other slaves registered, the resi- 
dences of whose owners wei'e not given. From the above list i{ 
appears that the townships settled principally by the Welsh, as 
Charlestown, East and West Nantmeal and Tredj'ifriu, and those 
largely settled by Scotch-Irish, New London, Londonderry, Oxfora 
and East Nottingham, had the largest numbers of slaves; while 
the townships largely inhabited by Friends, the more central 
townships, had the smallest numbers of them. 

Of the children of slaves for life I'egistered as servants until 
they should become twenty-eight years of age, the returns from the 
several townships were as follows: Charlestown, 2; Coventry, 1; 
East Fallowfield, 1; West Fallowfleld, 4; Goshen, 1; East Cain, 1; 
West Cain, 5; New London, 9; West Marlborough, 1; Londonderry, 
2; Oxford, 23; East Nantmeal, 1; West Nantmeal, 11; London 
Britain, 1; East Notingham, G; Londongrove, 2; Sadsbury, 2; Tre- 
dyffrin, 3; East Whiteland, 2; total, 83. 

The Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of 
Slavery, the Kelief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, 
and for Improving the Condition of the African Itace, was oi'gan- 
ized April 14, 1775, was reorganized in 1784, and incorporated by 
an act of the Assembly December 8, 1789, with nearly three hun- 
dred members. The American Colonization Society was organized 
about 181G, and the Pennsylvania Colonization Society in 182G. 
County societies, auxiliary to the State society, were formed to the 
number of nine within a year, one of which was in Chester County. 
In December, 1827, Simeon Siegfried of West Chester published an 
eight-page pamphlet containing the constitution and address of the 
managers of the Chester County Auxiliary Colonization Society, the 
officers being at that time as follows: 



AXD IT>< PEOPLE. 34 1 

President, William Darlingtou; vice-presidents, Jesse Kersey 
and Rev. Eobert Graham; secretary, Thomas Williamson; treas- 
urer, David Townsend; managers, William H. Dillingham, Towns- 
end Haines, Thomas S. Bell, Jonathan Jones, Gen. John W. Cuning- 
ham, Eev. William Hodgson, Dr. Samuel McClean, George Hart- 
man, Jr., Rev. Ebenezer Dickey, Rev. Simeon Siegfried, William 
Everhart and Jonathan Gause. 

In colonial days there were other servants besides slaves, who 
were known by the names of servants and redemptioners. The 
master owned the time of the servant for a definite period. In the 
early settlement of the country, servants were in great demand, and 
to supplj' this demand people of more or less wealth who were 
emigrating to the new country from Europe would bring over 
with them cargoes of laboring people, such as could not pay their 
own passage over the sea, and were willing to be bound out for a 
term of years in order to repay the expense of their transportation 
and support while (lu the way over, and dispose of them upon 
arriving in this province. The indentures were prepared usually 
in the country whence the emigration took place, binding the 
servant to serve for a number of years, rarely less than four, after 
his ari'ival in Pennsylvania, in consideration of his passage, cloth- 
ing and provisions. Even mechanics sold their services for a cer- 
tain length of time. Orphan children were also bound out by the 
court as servants, the process by which this was accomplished 
being called "judging" them or "adjudging." At the October 
court, 1693, Maurice Trent brought into the country eight boys 
who were called up to be judged, they being according, to the 
opinion of Dr._Smith, negroes. The boys were adjudged to serve 
their respective masters until they were twenty-one years of age. 
In 1695 Maurice Trent brought in another set of boys to be judged, 
their periods of servitude being fixed by the court. In 1697 there 
Avere as many as thirty-three orphans who were indentured as 
servants for different lengths of time. Following are a few sam- 
ples of entries on the records in connection with cases of this kind: 



342 CHEi^TER COUXTY 

"Francis Cliadsey brought a boy whose name was Alexander 
Stewart, who was adjudgecl to serve eight years from the 14th of 
September last past, to be taught to read and write, or else to 
serve but seven years; also he had a servant maid whose name is 
Ann Beam, who was adjudged to serve five years from this court, to 
said Francis Chadsey or his assigns." 

"William Cope brought a boy whose name is Thomas Harper, 
who was adjudged to serve five years and three-quarters, if he be 
taught to read and Avrite, or else to serve but five years to him or 
his assigns." 

"Elizabeth Withers brought a servant girl whose name is Mar- 
garet Mongey, who was adjudged to be eleven years of age and to 
serve ten years to Thomas W^ithers or his assigns." 

"Elinor Clayton, an orphan of the age of fourteen years, was 
ordered by the court to serve Daniel Hoopes for the term of seven 
years, on condition that he should teach her to read, knit and sew, 
and pay £12 according to the order of the court." 

In the early part of the eighteenth century captains of vessels 
brought over persons, selling their time in this country to pay for 
their passage. These were called redemptioners, and such cases 
occurred even down into the nineteenth century. Those who im- 
ported servants were accustomed to take them in companies 
through the country and dispose of them to farmers, in some of 
which cases the masters were outwitted by the servants they were 
attempting to sell. An anecdote is told of a certain master who 
had disposed of all but one of his drove, and this one getting up 
first in the morning sold his master to the landlord of the tavern 
where the two had remained over night, giving the master an ex- 
cellent character, except in one respect, that he was in the habit of 
lying, and that when he should arise he would be apt to try to 
pass himself off as the master. 

Following is the form of an indenture of apprenticeship, in 
which there is nothing peculiar except the compensation in live 
stock: 



AXD /7'.S' PEOPLE. 343 

"This Indenture Witnesseth that Elizabeth Hastings, Daugh- 
ter of Henry Hastings of West Bradford in the County of Chester 
and Province of Pennsilvania, Yeoman, hath put herself, and by 
these presents doth voluntarily put herself and of her own free 
will and accord and with the Consent of her Parents put herself 
Apprentice to Phebe Buffington of West Bradford afforesaid and 
after the manner of an apprentice to serve her from the day of the 
date hereof for and During the Term of Five Years Eight Months 
next ensuing the date hereof. During all which term the said ap- 
prentice her said Mistress faithfully shall serve, her secrets keep, 
her Lawful Commands everywhere gladly obej^ She shall do no 
damage to her said mistress' goods nor lend them unlawfully to 
any. She shall do no damage to her said Mistress nor see it to be 
done by others without letting or giving notice thereof to her said 
Mistress. She shall not commit fornication nor contract matri- 
mony within the said term. At Cards, Dice, or any other unlawful 
Game she shall not play whereby her Mistress maj- have damage. 
With her own goods nor with the goods of others, without License 
from her said Mistress she shall neither buy nor sell. She shall 
not absent herself Day nor Xight from her Mistress' service without 
her leave, nor haunt Ale-Houses, Taverns or Play Houses, but in 
all things behave herself as a faithful aj)prentice ought to do, Dur- 
ing the said Term. And in Consideration of the said Term the 
said Mistress shall procure and provide for her said apprentice 
Sufficient meat. Drink, Apparel, Lodging and Washing fitting for 
an apprentice both in health and sickness during the said Term, 
Together with Two Cows and two calves. Each Cow and calf to 
be worth Four pounds of Current monej' of Pennsilvania in the 
following manner — One Cow and Calf to be delivered unto the 
above named Henry Hastings for the use of said apprentice in the 
year ITiC and the other Cow and Calf in the spring of the year of 
our Loi"d 1748. And the said mistress shall learn her said ap- 
prentice to Sew and Knitt so as to know how to make a man's Shirt 



344 CHESTER COUNTY 

and Knitt Stocking and to give ber one month's scliooling in Read- 
ing and Writing within the said Term, and at the expiration of said 
Term said Mistress shall procure for her said apprentice One full 
Suit of new Apparel besides her working apparel. And for the 
true performance of all and every the said Covenants and agree- 
ments either of said parties bind themselves unto the other by 
these presents. In Witness whereof they have interchangeably 
put their hands and seals this ninth day of Ai^ril, One Thousand 
Seven Hundred and forty and three. 1743. 

"PHEBE BUFFINGTON. (Seal) 

"Signed seald and Delivered in the presence of John Buflfing- 
ton, Amy Bate, John McCarty." 

While it is true that many of the people of the United States 
at the time of the adoption of the Constitution in 1789 were opposed 
to the continuance of slavery, and that though thus opposed to it 
they yielded their opposition to it in order that the Constitution 
might be adopted, hoping that with the prohibition of the slave 
trade after 1808 the sentiment would steadily increase among the 
people and become so strong that the institution could not exist 
in its presence, yet they did not for years take any active measures 
to secure its abolition. But in 1804 cases of kidnapping of free ne- 
groes occurred at Columbia, Pennsylvania, which fully aroused 
this latent anti-slavery feeling among the people in that vicinity, 
who were mostly Friends, and incited them to do what they could 
to protect slaves Avho were attempting by flight to secure the 
liberty to which nature and nature's God entitled them. One of 
the most active in this movement was William Wright of C/olumbia, 
who assisted all who came to him, and did all in his power both 
inside and outside of court to aid the fleeing negro to escape. 
These escaping negroes invariably desii'ed to reach Canada, where 
there was no fugitive slave law in force, and hence all along the 
road or route to the British dominion there Avere agencies estab- 



AXD 1T8 PEOPLE. 345 

lished wherever such agencies could be made of service to the 
cause. 

The priucipal route throu<;h this i)art of the country lay- 
through the counties of Yorlc, Lancaster, Chester, Montgomery, 
Berks and Bucks, to Pha-nixville, Norristown, Quakertown, Bead- 
ing, Philadelphia, and other cities and towns. The principal agents 
iu Lancaster County were Daniel Gibbons, Thomas Whitson, Lind- 
ley Coates, Dr. Eshleman, James Moore, Caleb C. Hood and Jere- 
miah Moore. Those who were most active on this line in Chester 
County were James Fulton, Gideon Peirce, Thomas Bonsall, 
Thomas Vickers, John Vickers, Esther Lewis and daughters, Dr. 
Edwin Fussell, William Fussell, Xorris Maris, Emmor Kimber, 
Elijah F. Pennypacker and Lewis Peart. In Norristown those 
most active iu secreting and forwardiug the fugitive were Rev. 
Samuel Aaron, Isaac Boberts, John Boberts, Dr. William Corson, 
Dr. Jacob L. Paxou and Daniel Boss (colored), and there were also 
others. The gentlemen as above mentioned as being active in Lan- 
caster and Chester Counties and in Norristown, were the agents 
along the northern route through Chester Country; but later in the 
history of this movement the more traveled routes lay through the 
central and southern parts of the county. It was on these routes 
that many lively incidents occurred, as they lay, particularly tlie 
more southern one, along the boundary of the slave States of Mary- 
land and Delaware. Bo great was the travel along the southern 
route that it became necessary to have several branches, and these 
branch routes interlaced the more northern lines in several places, 
this being especially the case at tlie Peirces and Fultons in Ercil- 
doun; Esther Lewis' iu Vincent; John Vickers' near Lionville, and 
Elijah F. Pennypacker's near Phoenixville. From Pennypacker's 
place many negroes were sent over into Montgomery County — • 
many of them to Norristown. There was a route from Havre de 
Grace through Penn Township to Ercildoun, by waj^ of Eli, Thomas 
and Chai'les Hambleton's, and thence to John Vickers' place, and 
that of Esther Lewis'. 



346 CHESTER COUNTY 

Generally speaking the negroes were guided when traveling at 
night (and this Avas absolutely necessary in many cases in order to 
elude their pursuers) by the Polar Star, which they knew lay in the 
direction of liberty, and following this guiding star many of them 
on the main route from Wilmington passed through the townships 
of Kennett, East Marlborough, Pocopson, Newlin, and so on to the 
north. In Kennett they found assistants in the ])ersons of Allen 
and Maria Agnew, Isaac and Dinah Mendenhall, and Dr. Bartholo- 
mew Fussell in Kennett; John and Hannah Cox, Simon and Sarah 
D. Barnard in East Marlborough; William and Mary Barnhard, 
Eusebeus and Sarali Marsh Barnhard, in Pocopson; Isaac and 
Thamsine Meredith, Mordecia and Esther Hayes, in Newlin; James 
Fulton, Jr., and Gideon Peirce, in Ercildoun; Zebulon Thomas and 
daugliters, in Downingtown; Micajah and William Speakman, in 
Uwchlan; John Tickers and Charles Moore, in Lionville; Estlier 
Lewis and her daughters, Marian, Elizabeth and Graceanna, Wil- 
liam Fussell, Dr. Edwin Fussell and Norris Maris, in West Vin- 
cent; Emmor Kimber, at Kimbertou, and Elijah F. Pennypacker, 
at Phoenixville. 

There was still another branch which passed through Kennett 
Township, the station here being at ("handler Darlington's; East 
Bradford, the agent being Benjamin Price; to West Cliester, where 
the agents Avere the Darlington sisters and Abram D. Shadd (col- 
ored). At West Chester there were two forks to this branch, one 
leading to John A'ickers', on the middle route, and the other to 
Nathan Evans' place in ^ViIlistown, wlio was a sterling old Friend, 
and stood almost alone in the work in his neighborhood. Davis 
Garrett, of the same township, however, frequently aided Mr. 
Evans. James Lewis of Marple Township, Delaware County, was 
also an efficient Avorker on this line, and James T. Dannaker, Avho 
lived with Mr. Lewis, was made a conductor on the line. 

The great central station at which the Chester County and 
-other southern routes converged was at the anti-slavery headquar- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 347 

ters in Philadelphia, which was in charge of J. Miller McKini, 
assisted by several persons, among whom was William Still, a, 
former slave. In the early part of this combined movement to 
aid the slave to escape it was very difficult for the master and 
others in i)ursuit of the fugitives to trace them beyond Columbia. 
AVheu the pursuers arrived there all trace of the fleeing slaves 
was as completely lost as if they had dropped down into the earth, 
and those in pursuit were accustomed to say, "There must be an 
underground railroad somewhere," and it was this saying that 
gave name to the route by which the slaves made their escajte. 
This "Underground Railroad" had many branches in all parts 
of the Free States, even as far West as Kansas and Iowa, during 
the later years of the existence of the "peculiar institution." 

AA'est Chester was really one of the main stations on one of 
these routes, and one of those who distinguished himself in the 
service of the fugitives in this city was George Maris, who, as a 
lad, drew many a map of the road from there to Elijah F. Penny- 
packer's place, Mr. Pennypacker having a two-horse wagon iu 
which he used to carry the slaves onward to friends in Montgomery 
County, or to Daniel Ross's at Norristown. At one time there was 
an exciting chase of a slave woman in West Chester, she having 
lived there for some years in a little home on W^est Miner street. 
Her master offered a large reward for her apprehension, which 
tempted one of the citizens of that place to divulge her where- 
abouts, and when the master, with a constable, had arrested her 
and carried her into court, before Judge Thomas S. Bell, whose 
office was at the southeast corner of South Church and Miner 
Streets, she, by a ruse, got outside the office into the back yard, 
ran and jumped over a fence, which is said to have been seven feet 
high, and then running through alleys and streets, finally success- 
fully hid herself, and could not be found by anyone searching for 
her, though she remained in the town for some days. She at length 
made her escape in safety and got away to Canada. There were 



348 CHESTER COUNTY 

many incidents of escape from the clutches of the mastei" and the 
law which would make interesting reading, which would be in- 
serted in this work but for the fact that there is so much recent 
history that has not yet been put in book form, to which the pub- 
lishers feel in dutj' bound to give attention; hence only one instance 
of this kiud will be here inserted, merely to show that lawyers were 
then to be found who were as keen in their lookout for technicalities 
as any of the present day, and who would labor like many good 
phj'sicians and other good Samaritans, without the hope of pecu- 
niary reward. 

About 1838 Eobert Purvis, a resident of Philadelphia, and well 
remembered even now to many citizens of Chester County, had in 
his employ a colored man named Basil Dorsey, who was an escaped 
slave, and who was betrayed to his former owner by a brother-in- 
law of his wife. This former master, together with a noted slave- 
catcher, found Doi'sey plowing in a field ou Mr. Purvis' farm. They 
caught him, handcuffed him aud took him to Bristol, whei"e they 
had him locked up in the prison cell. Mr. Pui'vis immediately 
followed them aud next morning, before the case was brought 
before Judge Fox at Doylestown, had enlisted the sympathies of 
the entire crowd. Thomas Ross was employed as counsel, and in 
order to put up the best possible defense when the case should 
come to trial, succeeded iu having it postponed a couple of weeks. 
Dorsey remained in jail, and the colored population made prepara- 
tions to rescue him by force in case Mr. Purvis should lose. Mr. 
Purvis secured as counsel for the defense David Paul Brown, then 
the most noted criminal lawyer in Philadelphia, who would not 
accept any fee. The counsel for the claimant, named Griffith, 
made a clear statement of the claim, pi*esenting the bill of sale and 
other evidence of ownership, and als<j laws that seemed to seal the 
fate of Dorsey. Then Mr. Brown arose, and after admitting tlie 
force of the arguments presented by Mr. Griffith, went on to say: 

"But there is one fatal defect in the indictment, and upon that 



AXD /7\s' PEOPLE. 349 

T take my staud: This is a laud of law, this is a court of law, aud 
uothiug cau be decided iu this court without strict sanction of la\v. 
You have not shown by proper evidence that under the laws of 
Maryland a man maj' be held as a slave, and not showing this, his 
case goes by default." 

Mr. Griffith then denianded a iiostponement of the case until 
the necessary proof could be procured, which could, of course, easily 
have been done; but Brown was unrelenting, as might have been 
expected he would be, as he had won his case as it then stood, and 
he demanded the dismissal of the case for want of proper proof. 
Judge Fox thereupon arose and said, "The case is dismissed." 
Basil Dorsey went therefore free. 

In closing this part of the present chapter it remains only 
to be said that ^Vest Chester was well known far and wide as being 
friendly to the slave, willing to aid him in securing what was most 
dear in life, freedom to follow his own inclinations and interests; 
and it is largely for this reason that so many colored people have 
made and now make this city their home. They now constitute 
about one-fourth part of the population, have a wai'd of the city 
practically all to themselves, and have had representatives in 
the Council. They are as well treated here in the way of educa- 
tion as it is possible for them to be in the present condition of 
civilization, aud are working out their own destiny to the best of 
their abilitj'. 



CHAPTER X. 

EDUCATION. 



CHArTER X. 

EDUCATION SCHOOLS FOSTERED BY THE CHURCH — FIRST TEACHER IN THE 

PROVINCE— BOOKS AND WAGES EARLY SCHOOLS OF THE FRIENDS THE FIRST 

COMPULSORY LAW — ESTABLISHMENT OF VARIOUS SCHOOLS STUDIES EM- 
BRACED STUDENTS AFTERWARDS PROMINENT MEN THE BOARDING 

SCHOOL FIRST SCHOOL AT WEST CHESTER ACADEMIES AND 

NORMAL SCHOOLS THE BUILDINGS ATTENDANCE 

STUDIES FACULTY — COLORED SCHOOLS FUNDS THE' 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED THEIR EFFICIENCY 

HIGH SCHOOLS — GRADED SCHOOLS — INSTI- 
TUTES EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS — LIBRARY 

THE TRANSPORTING SYSTEM 

INTRODUCED. 

THE histoiy of education in Chester County is more or less 
directly or indirectly connected with the earliest movements to 
educate the young in the Province of Pennsylvania. Hence it may 
not be inappropriate to briefly refer to the conditions and ideas 
from which the educational systems and institutions since then 
established in the present county have sprung. 

When the first Swedish colony was planted on the Delaware 
Iviver there was no regular, independent educational system in 
their native land, that educational system being in the hands of 
the clinrch, as agent for the State, and in the hands of heads of 
families. The Church, in 1693, forbade the marriage of anyone who 
was without a knowledge of Luther'si catechism; which shows the 
strength of the position of the Church in educational matters. 

From Holland, which country is said to have been, in the 

later pai't of the Sixteenth centurj-, the first in Europe to establish 

public schools, came a considerable portion of the eaidier settlers 

of the country on the Delaware; and a still larger portion of the 

21 355 



3 56 CHESTER COUXTY 

oar]y settlers of New York were from that country. Aud it is 
doubtless true that the Piliirim Fathers, during- their twelve years' 
residence in Holland, became familiar with the fundamental jtrin- 
ciples which have made New England famous in the educatitnial 
and intellectual history of tiie I'nited states. It was also in Hol- 
land that William Penu acquired those broad and liberal ideas 
in regard to the education of the young Mhich have made Penn- 
sylvania no less famous in educational matters, and far inorc 
famous for religious liberty than even New England. 

Among the inducements offered emigrants from Sweden to 
the New World was the promise that "in the same way schools 
and churches will floiirish through it and be sustained, and further- 
more those who have learned something Avill be promoted to dig'- 
nities aud jjositions." 

In planting the Dutcli colonies in America the same promise 
was made. "The patrons of New Netherlands shall also exert them- 
selves to find speedy means to maintain a ( lergymau and scliool- 
master, in order that Divine Service and zeal for religion may be 
planted in that country, aud shall send, at first, a Comforter for 
the sick thither." This was about 1G30. 

On July 12, 1G56, the city of Amsterdam offered the following 
conditions to persons settling in its colony at New Castle on the 
Delaware : 

"Said city shall cause to be erected about the market, or in a 
more convenient place, a public building suitable for Divine Serv- 
ice; item, also a house for a school which can likewise be occupied 
by a person who will hereafter be sexton, i^salmsetter and school- 
master; the city shall besides have a house built for a minister. 

"The city shall i^rovisionally provide and pay the salaries of 
the minister and schoolmaster." 

The same year in which these conditions were prescribed Evert 
Pietersen, a man of some learning, was sent out to act as school- 
master, aud zieken-trooster, to read the Bible, and to lead the sing- 
ing until the arrival of a clergyman. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 357 

Tlms was Evert Pieterseu the first school-teacher, or school- 
master, as such professiouals were theu called, to take charge of a 
school in what afterward became for a time a part of the province 
of William Penn. However, he was not the first Eiiro])eau school- 
master in the colonies, or in North America, haviuii been preceded 
by several teachers among the Dutch at Manhattan, the first of 
these being Adam Koelansen, who taught the school of the Dutcli 
Chnrch in 1G33, the first school established in what is now the 
United States, and which is still in existence. But as this chapter 
does not pretend to be a history of education in the United States, 
or even in Pennsylvania, it appears appropriate to mention only one 
more fact in this connection, which item in reality covers in part 
at least the territory to which it will be necessary to confine this 
sketch; and that is that along the Delaware Eiver there was not 
for many years a high scIkioI or academy, and it was customary for 
those who could afford to do so, for some years, to send their chil- 
dren from the Delaware River section, and even from Virginia, to 
an academy established in IfioO at New Amsterdam, of which, in 
lf)r)2, Dominie Aegilius Luyck was Latin master. 

According to Wickersham, from whose History of Education in 
Pennsylvania the above facts liave been extracted (without i)ain), 
there was no schoolhouse on the Delaware up to 1082, nor had 
there been any regular schoolmaster except Pieterseu; and though 
the colonists were much in favor of the education of their children, 
yet it was very difficult for them to obtain for those children the 
proper instruction. On account of the scattered location of the 
families which rendered it impracticable to sustain schools, as is 
now done throughout the country districts, it was the custom of 
the ministers and missionaries, who had the education of the young 
in charge, to visit individual families scattered about in the settle- 
ments, and thus, in conjunction with the parents, to teach the 
young as best they could; but the difficulties they encountered 
may be imagined when it is stated, as it rests on good authority, 



358 CHESTER COUNTY 

that in 1C()7 there Avere but three books in the entire Swedish col- 
ony on the Delaware, and these three books had been passed around 
from one family to another in order that all might learn to read. 

The above reinarks bring this narrative down to the first men- 
tion of education Avithin the limits of the present State of Penn- 
sylvania, and the first attempt at education within what was once 
Chester County. This is a copy of a record of the court at Uphind, 
and is the case of Edmund Draufton vs. Dunck Williams: 

"March 12, 167 . 

"The Pit demands of this Def* 200 Gilders for teaching this 
Deft children to read one yeare." 

"The Co^'t haveiug heard the debates of both parties as alsoe ye 
attestation of ye witnesses, Doe grant Judgment ag*** ye def* foi- 
200 gilders w^^ ye costs." 

"Richai'd Ducket sworne in Court declares that hee was p'sent 
at ye making of ye bargaiue, and did hear that ye agreem* w'as 
that Edmund draufton should Teach Dunkes Children to Read ye 
bybell, & if he could doe itt in a yeare or a half yeare or a quarts' 
then he should have 200 gilders." 

While the location of this primitive school is not certainly 
known, yet there is some evidence to prove that it was at Passa- 
yunk. It is not at all likely that Draufton taught a school, the 
evidence showing that he taught the children of Williams how to 
read "ye bybell," in doing which he probably earned the 200 gilders 
thus given him by tlie court. 

It is altogether correct to say that to the doctrines of the 
Friends, which will be found treated of briefly under the head of 
religious history in this work, much that is noble and ennobling 
in education, as well as in religion and jurisprudence, is to be traced. 
The Friends fully believed in education, and only feared that 
abuse of learning which is sometimes visible in the magnification 
of self. They were all fairly well educated, and they had among 
them some very learned men, such as William Penn, Robert Bar- 



AXD /T.S' PEOPLE. 359 

c-laj, Thomas Loe, Thomas Ellwood, Isaac Pennington and others^. 
And as the Friends were the pioneers in education in the province 
and also in the county of Chester, it is only appropriate that their 
proceedings, ideas and institutions should first be dealt with iu 
this work. The first assembly called together by William Penn 
after his arrival in this country passed what is known in history 
as the "Great Law," of seventy-one chapters. Chapter LX con- 
tains a provision of great significance, as follows: 

"That the laws of this Province, from time to time, shall be 
published and printed, that every person may have the knowledge 
thereof; and they shall be one of the books taught in the schools 
of this Province and territories thereof." 

The Second Assembly, which met at Philadelphia, March 10, 
1683, passed numerous laws, of which the following is the most 
interesting in this connection: 

"And to the end that poor as well as rich may be instructed 
in good and commendable learning, which is to be preferred before 
wealth. Be it enacted, etc.. That all persons iu this province and ter- 
ritories thereof having children, and all the guardians and trustees 
of orphans, shall cause such to be instructed in reading and writ- 
ing, so that they may be able to read the Scriptures and to write 
by the time they attain to twelve years of age; and that then they 
be taught some useful trade or skill, that the poor may work to 
live and the rich if they become poor may not want, of which 
every County Court shall take care. And in case such parents, 
guardians or overseers shall be found deficient in this respect, 
every such parent, gimrdian or overseer shall pay for each such 
child five pounds, except there should appear an incapacity in 
body or understanding to hinder it." 

Extended comment on this remarkable law is left to the 
reader. But it may be stated here that it was at once the most 
comprehensive and strong compulsory educational law ever en- 
acted by any legislative body in America. After it had remained 



36o CHESTER COUNTY 

in force ten years it was abrogated by King and Queen William 
and Mary; but it was re-enacted by Governor Fletcher, "by and 
with the advice and consent of the representatives," and though 
never formally repealed so far as anyone knows, yet it was per- 
mitted to become a dead letter, not being revived by subsequent 
forms of government. 

As a few of the first teachers in the country have been men- 
tioned, it would be scarcely just to pass over Thomas Makin, the 
first teacher required to procure a cei'tificate to teach in the 
Province. Thomas Makiu was usher under George Keith, who, 
for one year, had charge of the Friends' Public School in Philadel- 
phia, and was then succeeded by Makin, Avho remained in cliarge 
of it several years. On August 1, 1693, Mr. Makin was called be- 
fore the Lieutenant-Governor and Council and told that he must 
not keep school withoiit a license, and that he must procure a cer- 
tificate of his ability, learning and diligence from the inhabitants 
of note in the town (of Philadelphia) by the 16th inst. in order to 
obtain a license, which he promised to do. Makin lived to be a 
very old man, wrote a Latin poem descrijitive of Pennsylvania in 
1729, and on or about November 28, 1733, fell off a wharf in Phila- 
delphia into the Delaware River and was drowned. 

Up to the beginning of the Eighteenth century the Friends, 
throughout the State, continued to work faithfully and well to 
increase the general intelligence of the people by means of the 
education of the young; but from that tiTiie on to the Revolution- 
avy War little was accomplished by the State in this direction, 
the work falling back into private hands and into the hands of 
the several churches. It seems to have been too early in the de- 
velopment of the human race for the universal education of the 
youth throughout the Province by public authority. The diffi- 
culty may have been caused by the fact that the Province of Penn- 
sylvania was noted the world over as being the asylum of those 
who were persecuted at home for their religious opinions, and 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 361 

that on this account it attracted to its bosom such large numbers 
of divers opinions that it was difficult for those entertaining these 
different opinions to work harniouiously together even for the pro- 
motion of their best interests. But order must at length come 
out of chaos, and though there were but few schools established 
from 1700 to 1776, yet there were a few. In December, 1754, or 
early in 1755, there Avas a school established in Vincent Township, 
Chester County, with John Louis Ache as teacher; Mr. Ache, how- 
ever, being retired to first qualify himself better in the use of the 
English language by an attendance, at the expense of the Pro- 
prietaries, at the Academy in Philadelphia. 

Among the Friends the yearly meeting gave much earnest and 
practicable advice couoerniug the establishment of schools, sug- 
gesting that in the compass of each monthly meeting there should 
be ground provided upon which to erect a suitable house and 
stable, and room for a garden, orchard and pasture, as an encour- 
agement to, and making provision for, a teacher of proper quali- 
fications and good character. The yearly meeting also recom- 
mended that funds should be collected for the establishment and 
supi>ort of schools. 

In writing the biography of an individual it is often ueces- 
.sary to a correct understanding of the career of that individual 
to trace, at least briefly, the antecedent members of the family. 
So in writing of Fagg's Manor Classical School it is at least useful 
to mention its ancestor in the line of events, the famous "Log Col- 
lege." This college was established by the Rev. William Tennent, 
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in the forks of the Neshaminy, 
or near there, in 1726; but the land on which stood the building- 
hereafter described, and to which the above name was given, was 
purchased by Mr. Tennent September 11, 1735, of Mr. John White, 
of Philadelphia, for £110, the school having been kept at some 
other location, doubtless near this place, up to that time. Ilev. 
George Whitefield, while on a visit to this country in 1739, was 



362 CHESTER COUNTY 

with Mr. Tennent at this log school-house November 22, 1739, and 
upon his arrival at the academy, where he was expected to preach, 
"found about three thousand people gathered together in the 
meeting-house j^ard," Mr. Whitefield in his journal says: "The 
place wherein the young men study is, in contempt, called* a Col- 
lege." 

The purpose of Mr. Tennent in the establishment of his acad- 
emy was to prepare young men for the ministry of the Presbyte- 
rian Church, education then being the handmaid of religion almost 
exclusively. The log building in which he taught was about 
twenty feet square, or nearly square, and in this small building- 
were educated many young men who afterward became distin- 
guished in the ministry. 

Rev. Mr. Tennent had four sons — Gilbert, William, John and 
Charles — all of whom, like their father, were born in Ireland, and 
all of whom became distinguished ministers of the Gospel, and 
it is the latter's meeting-house that is mentioned in what is said 
in previous pages about the survey of the north and south line 
from the Philadelphia parallel down to the southern parallel of 
Pennsylvania. Rev. Charles Tennent was installed at White 
Clay Creek Chapel, or meeting-house, in Delaware, in 1737, and 
remained there as minister until 17G2. 

Among the distinguished graduates, or perhaps it would be 
better to say alumni, of "Log College" was the Rev. Samuel Blair, 
who was born in Ireland June 14, 1712, came early to this country, 
and was a pupil of Mr. Tennent probably from 1730 to 1735. It 
was he that established, in 1739, in New Londonderry, or on Fagg's 
Manor, as it was often called, a school similar to that at the forks 
of the Xeshaminy, his alma mater, for the education of young men 
for the ministry; and it was in this school thus established by Mr. 
Blair that many who afterward became distinguished as scholars 
and divines received their early educational discipline. This 
school was called Fagg's Manor Classical School, and was the first 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 363 

classical institution within the limits of Chester County, as those 
limits run to-daj-. Rev. Mr. Blair was considered by his biog- 
rapher, Dr. Miller, not only one of the most able and learned, but 
also one of the most pious and excellent men that ever adorned 
the American church. This school at Fagg's Manor was of a high 
order, the pupils being trained in it to a great familiarity with the 
ancient languages and the doctrines of the Christian faith. While 
they had fewer books than have students of the present day, yet 
they mastered those tliey had, carrying out in their study the 
motto, Multum, non multa. 

ICev. Samuel Davies, educated at Mr. Blair's school, was licensed 
to preach in 1745, and was chosen by the Synod of New York to 
accompany the Kev. Gilbert Tennent to England and Ireland for 
the purpose of soliciting funds for the College of New Jersey, noAV 
Princeton, of which institution he was elected president to suc- 
ceed Rev. Jonathan Edwards soon after the latter's death, which, 
occurred in 1759. Rev. Mr. Davies died in 1761, when nearly 
thirty-seven years of age. 

Rev. Samuel Blair remained at the head of Fagg's Manor 
School until 1751, when he died, being then a little more than 
thirty-nine years of age. Soon afterward he was succeeded by 
his brother. Rev. John Blair, who took charge of both sciiool and 
church at that place, and at the school prepared many young men 
for the ministry by instructing them in the languages, philosophy 
and theology. After remaining at the head of this school about 
nine years he was called to a professorshij) of divinity in tlie Col- 
lege of New Jersey, and was elected to the vice-presidenc/ of the 
institution, in which position he performed the duties of president 
after the death of Doctor Finley and until the arrival of Doctor 
Witherspoon, who was elected president. 

Among the distinguished men who acquired their education 
at Fagg's Manor Classical School were Rev. Alexander Cummings, 
Rev. John Rodgers, D. D.; Rev. James Finley, Rev. Hugh Henry, 



364 CHESTER COUNTY 

Bex. Eobert Suiitli, D. D., a noted teaolier; Eev. John McMillan, 
D. D., fonnder of Jefferson College; Rev. John Woodhull, D. D.; 
Eev. Hugh McAden, Rev. James F. Armstrong, Eev. James Dun- 
lap, Rev. Nathaniel Irwin, and Rev. John Ross, the latter being 
one of the first professors of Dirldnson College, a noted teacher of 
the classics, and antlior of a Latin and Greek grammar. 

The next institution of this kind established in Chester 
County Avas what was known as New Loudon Academy. Founded 
in 174:3, this school became a famous institution. Rev. Francis 
Aliscm was tlie founder of the scho(d, Avhich furnished many men 
of distinction to both church and State. Among these noted men 
were Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress; 
Dr. John Ewing, provost of the University of Pennsylvania; Dr. 
David Ramsey, the historian; Dr. Hugh Williamson, Rev. James 
Latta, D. D.; llev. Matthew Wilson, D. D., and three of the signers 
of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas McKean, George 
Reed and James Smith. In 1752 Dr. Alison removed to Philadel- 
phia, and was succeeded in the priucipalship of this school by 
Alexander McDowell, who removed the academy to Newark, Del- 
aware, where it afterward became the basis upon which was 
founded Delaware College. 

In 1828 another school, by the name of the New London Acad- 
emy, was established, and was for many years a prosperous insti- 
tuti(m. Some of its ablest principals were James Magraw, T. 
Marshall Boggs, William S. Graham, W. S. F. Graliam, William F. 
Wyers, George Dullield and Edward 1). Porter. 

Next after the early New Loudon Academy came the Notting- 
ham Academy, established in 1744 by the Rev. Samuel Finley, 
D. D. At this institution were educated some of the ablest men 
who figured in the early history of the country. Among them 
may be mentioned Dr. Benjamin Rush, famous all over the civil- 
ized world for his scientific attainments; Judge Jacob Rush, his 
brother; Governor ^lartin, (»f North Carolina; Governor McWhor- 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 365 

ter, of Xew Jersey; Governor Henry, of Maryland; Ebenezer Haz- 
ard, Colonel John Bayard, William M. Tennent, D. D.; Eev. Joseph 
Smith, D. D.; Eev. James Waddell, D. D., the blind preacher, who 
is enlogized for his eloquence by William Wirt in his "British 
Spy." Dr. Samuel Finley, according to Dr. Benjamin Rush, was 
one of the wisest and best of men. His j;chool was broken up by 
bis removal to Princeton, New Jersey, to take the presidency of 
the college at that place; but its place was some time afterward 
well supplied by the West Kottingham Academy, which was es- 
tablislied in 1S12 through the instrumentality of Rev. Dr. James 
Magraw and located in Maryland. 

From 1793 to 181G there was in existence an institution of 
learning called the Brandy wine Academy, near the Manor meet- 
ing-house, in what is now West Brandywine Township. Here the 
classics and the higher branches of science were taught. At dif- 
ferent times this institution was under the direction of Rev. M. 
McPherson, Matthew G. Wallace, John Ralson, John F. Grier and 
Rev. John W. Grier. 

Rev. Nathan Grier was in the early day a prominent educator, 
his students being principally theological. From 1792 to 1814 he 
prepared twenty young men for the ministry, among them being 
Rev. David McConoughey, who was at one time president of Wasli- 
ington College, Pennsylvania; Rev. John H. Grier, Levi Bull and 
John N. C. Grier. 

From 1779 to about 1783 a school was in existence at Upper 
Octoraro, called the Upper Octoraro Classical School. It was es- 
tablished by Rev. William Foster, and came to an end with the 
death of its founder. 

From 1750 to the end of the Eighteenth century the Friends 
had in operation numerous schools in Chester County. One was 
established at Birmingham meeting-house in 1753. Several were 
established within the limits of Kennett Monthly Meeting, the 
one near Marlborough meeting-house having tAvo acres of ground, 



366 CHESTER COUNTY 

a residence for the teacher, and a fund which in 1886, according 
to Wickersham, amounted to |3,000. But there was one school 
iu existence long before any of these, that in Willistown Town- 
the Friends having purchased ground for which as early as 1713, 
At an early day there were school-houses connected with the 
meeting-houses at New Garden, Marshallton, Grove and West 
Grove and others. In 1779 Goshen, Bradford and Birmingham 
meetings jointly purchased four acres of ground and erected a 
school-house thereon one-half mile west of West Chester, and 
Bradford, New Garden and Kennett Monthly Meetings jointly es- 
tablished a school iu 1781. In 1703 Kennett Preparative Meeting 
purchased a piece of land for a school about two and a half miles 
west of Kennett meeting-house, alongside the road leading to Not- 
tingham. 

But perhaps the most famous of the schools above referred to 
was that established in 1753 at Birmingham meeting-house by the 
Friends on the site of the battle of the Brandywine. For many 
years this school was in charge of John ^''orsjthe, one of the best 
:iud most famous of the early teachers of Chester County. One 
of the most distinguished of the pupils of this school was Dr. Wil- 
liam Darlington, who enjoyed a world-wide fame as a botanist. John 
Forsythe came from Ireland to this country in 1773, when he was 
nineteen years of age, and on his mother's side of the family was 
a descendant of the vStuarts. He was a good Presbyterian when 
he reached this County, was well educated, was a fashionable 
young mau, and a line performer of the violin. After coming to 
Chester County he became a Quaker, and for many years was at 
the head of the Birmingham Classical School. He exerted a 
powerful influence upon all the young people with whom he came 
in contact in favor of education, to the great gratification of many 
a head of a family. For a short time he presided over the destinies 
of the Westtowu Boarding School, a history of which is hereafter 
introduced, and then he retired to his farm in East Bradford. In 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 3^7 

ISll be presided over the first meeting held to promote the estab- 
lishment of West Chester Academy-, was one of the most liberal con- 
tributors to that enterprise, which at lenght developed into the 
present West Chester State Normal School. 

Before leaving these early schools of the Friends it is due to 
the Frieuds and to the schools they established in this early day to 
record the fact that they were not merely the elementary institu- 
tions that many might suppose. Notwithstanding that they were 
located in the rural districts, their masters frequently taught the 
higher branches of learning, such as Algebra, Geometry, Men- 
suration and Surveying. They also taught, but less frequently. 
History, Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, and still less fre- 
quently Latin and Greek. 

About 1790 a prominent Friend named George Churchman 
established in East Nottingham, Chester County, a boarding 
school in Chester County; but as the day for this class of schools 
the higher branches being introduced. This was the first normal 
school in Chester County: but as the day for this class of schools 
had not yet arrived, it did not long survive. 

It is altogether likely that it was about 1790 that some of the 
leading Friends began to consider the propriety of establishing 
a larger and better institution of learning than any they had so 
far had, for at the yearly meeting held in Philadelphia for Pennsyl- 
vania, New Jersey, DelaAvare, and the eastern parts of Maryland 
and Virginia, the matter respecting the establishment of a board- 
ing school, which had been brought up from the Philadelphia 
Quarter in the year 1792, was entered upon and considered. At 
this meeting a committee of fifty-four Friends was appointed 
which on October 3, 1794, brought in a report to the effect that 
inasmuch as many of the Friends had taken into consideration the 
many advantages to the Society to be derived from one or more 
such institutions in a suitable place or suitable places within the 
limits and under the care of the yearly meeting, the use and benefit 



368 CHESTER COUXTY 

whereof were to be coutined to the children of Friends, etc., they 
were unanimously agreed in sentiment that an institution of the 
kind proposed, if managed witli religious care and circumspection, 
might tend to the prosperity of truth by promoting the real good 
of the rising generation: and they therefore recommended the 
said proposal to the yearly meeting, and proposed that a com- 
mittee be appointed to consider and digest the plan and rules for 
the government and management of the house, school and other 
parts of the economy, etc. This report was signed on behalf of 
the committee of fifty-four by Joseph Potts, Thomas Gaskill, Dan- 
iel Smith and Eobert Kirkbride. 

The following committee was then appointed to carry into 
effect the several matters contained in the report and to submit 
a full and clear statement of their proceedings at the next yearly 
meeting: Henry Drinker, Owen Biddle, John Drinker, Thomas 
Fisher, Jesse Foulke, William Jackson, Humphrey Marshall, 
Joshua E. Piisey, Warner Mifflin, Jonathan Evans, Jr., ^Nicholas 
Wain, George Churchman, John Hoskins, and there were thirty- 
three others added to the committee on October 2, 1795, among 
whom were Phillip Price, Jr., James Emlen, William Savery and 
Eli Yarnall. 

Plans having been sufficiently matured, it was determined to 
name two Friends in each of the quarterly meetings to receive the 
voluntary contributions and subscriptions of the members of the 
society. For the Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting Thomas Fisher 
and Joseph Sansom were appointed, and two others in each of the 
other quarterly meetings, of which there were nine. Thomas 
Fisher is believed to have been the first treasurer of the committee. 
Some of the Friends who were interested jiroposed to the consider- 
ation of the meeting as a suitable situation for the boarding school 
a tract of land called Langhorne Park, in Bucks County, twenty 
miles out from Philadelphia, bounded on one side by the Xesham- 
iny Creek, and containing 450 acres. Humphrey Marshall, Jona- 



.l.\7) ]TS PEOPLE. 369- 

tliau Evans, Owen Biddle and eleven others Avere named to view 
this spot and to i-ejxn-t at the next meeting, they being- also author- 
ized to view any other places that might be thought more likely 
to answer the purpose. 

On December 17, 1794, the Friends above named reported 
that all of them but three had been to Langliorne Park, but, still 
having one or more places they desired to view, they wished fur- 
ther time. Eight other Friends were then added to the commit- 
tee, and at a meeting held on December 10 a sub-committee laid 
before the committee a description of several tracts of land which 
they had viewed, and it was ascertained that the general senti- 
ment was in favor of the farm of James Gibbons, in Westtown, 
Chester County, containing 595 acres of laud. Then Humphrey 
Marshall, John Pierce, Thomas Fisher and Samuel Canby were 
named to treat with Mr. (ribbons and to confirm the bargain with 
him if the terms and title should prove satisfactory. 

In this case the deed was to be made in trust to -Jonathan 
Evans, Joseph Sausom, Thomas Morris, Thomas Stewardson, .John 
Field and John Wistar. On the 29th of the same month articles 
of agreement were signed by James ( Hbbons and his wife, Eleanor, 
and on the 12th of the 1st month, 1795, the above-named commit- 
tee was continued to perfect the bargain, with the addition to it 
of Henry Drinker, John Morton and Roger Dicks. 

This James Gibbons was one of the remarkable men of early 
('hester County history. He was a stanch Friend, a non-combat- 
ant, and retired from all public service upon the breaking out of 
the Revolutionary War. He was a tine scholar, especially well 
versed in ancient and modern languages, and at his residence 
opened a school for instruction in Latin, French and Greek. He 
was a competent surveyor, and was also competent to make deeds 
and wills. His judgment was so universally respected that hiis 
neighbors often submitted their disputes to him, and almost al- 
ways abided by his decision, feeling satisfied that they had ob- 
tained justice as nearly as it was possible for them to obtain it 



370 CU ESTER COUNTY 

The aggregate price be received for his farm was £G,083 6s 8d. 
lu regard to the account in Futhey and Cope's History of Chester 
County of the attempt of the chairman of the committee that went 
to visit him to make a sharp bargain for his farm by trying to beat 
him down £1 per acre, a certain writer in "The Friend," No. 25, 
Yo\. LV, states that there was no Englishman on the committee, 
all being natives of this country', ami that it was not the custom of 
the Friends to conduct business through a chairman. The four 
Friends that made the bargain with Mr. Gibbons for this farm 
were John Pierce, of Tliornbury, Delaware County; Samuel Canby, 
Wilmington, Delaware; Humphrey Marshall, of Marshallton, 
Chester County, and Thomas Fisher, and to the perfecting of the 
bargain three others were added, viz.: Drinker, Morton and Dicks, 
as stated above. 

On March, 23, 1795, Thomas Stewardson, Benjamin Sweet, 
John Drinker and Owen Biddle were desired to attend at James 
Gibbons' house, on the first of the next month, to get the deed exe- 
cuted. Then, having attended to the arbitration of water rights 
on Chester Creek with Eobert Green and William Ashbridge, the 
details of which would require too much space for introduction 
here, it may be next stated that the committee were informed, 
probably in the fifth month, 1795, that John Elliott, of London, 
from a desire to promote the institution, had authorized Henry 
Drinker to draw on him for £100 to be applied for its benefit. A 
milldam and a mill were then erected northwest of Walnut Hill, 
not far from the northern boundary of the farm and south of Ches- 
ter Creek. A meeting of the boarding school committee was held 
at the farm on August 17, 1795, those present being John Shoe- 
maker, Owen Biddle, John Wistar, Jonathan Evans and eight 
others, who "viewed the eminence north of the old mansion, re- 
markable for the fine i:)rospect it affords." On the 18th of the 
same month the committee of women Friends were invited to pro- 
cure feather beds, pillows, mattresses, etc., for the accommodation 




GEORGE M. PHILIPS. 



AXD /7W PEOPLE. 373 

of such members of the committee, meu or women, us might occa- 
sionally attend to the dnties of their appointment at that place. 
This is the first mention of women in connection with the pro- 
ceedings, and at the meeting of September 16 three of the seven 
women Friends named by the yearly meeting were in attendance. 

A road was opened on the east side of the farm to connect 
with Marlboro Street road and Goshen Township road, and a 
building committee was appointed consisting of Jonathan Evans, 
Owen Biddle, Thomas Morris, Thomas Stewardson and Joseph 
Sansom, the building to stand on the eminence mentioned above, 
north of the old mansion. The size of the building finally deter- 
mined upon was 100 feet front, 56 feet deep, and three stories in 
height. 

A notable donation was offered to this school about the first 
of February, 1790, by John Dawson Coates, a Friend, and then 
a late banker of Dublin, Ireland, the donation amounting to |500, 
Irish currency, which was accepted by the committee, Henry 
Drinker, Thomas Fisher and three others being appointed to re- 
ceive it. John Pemberton in his will left 22| pistoles annually 
to the institution after his widow's death, the annual amount be- 
ing $80.10. Henry Drinker also made a donation of a tract of land 
containing 4,9S9f} acres in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Bar- 
tholomew Wistar, in his will, left £150 to the school, and James 
Emleu, in his will, £100. Samuel Walles gave 802^ acres of land 
in Luzerne County, and on February 15, 1799, Richard and Cath- 
arine Hartshorne offered to take charge of the family of the board- 
ing school "without any view to pecuniary satisfaction, which it 
is stated they cannot agree to receive." This offer was accepted 
by the committee. 

The school was finally opened on May 6, 1799, and on July 19, 

at the request of the teachers in the school, the following visiting 

committee was appointed: Benjamin Sweet, Philip Price, Jr., 

Henry Drinker and Eli Yarnall. On November 15, the number of 

22 



374 CHEl^TEE COUNTY 

applicants for admission to the school had reached 300, and it was 
decided to discontinue entering names. About this time Kichard 
Hartshorne desiring to retire from the position of superintendent 
of the institution, Jonathan Evans, Eli Yarnall, Philip Pi-ice, Jr., 
Abraham Sharpless, Catharine Wistar, Rachel Malin and Mar- 
garet Marshall took upon themselves the charge of attending to 
the wants of the family. Philip Price is thought to have been 
superintendent temporarily until January i, 1800, when Joshua 
Sharpless took charge, receiving for his services £100 per year. 
About this time or soon afterward it was deemed necessary, in 
order to meet the expenses of the institution, to raise the price 
of board and tuition to £30 per year for boys and £25 10s. for girls. 

At Ihe opening of the school there were three teachers em- 
ployed, the principal being John Forsythe, who has heretofore 
been mentioned as tlie popular teacher of the Birmingham school. 
On the 19th of the 9th month, 1800, at a meeting at which were 
present twenty-one men and ten women, it was agreed to erect a 
two-story stone house, 18x28 feet in size, for the accommodation 
of a teacher. And it w^as also decided to erect a building for an 
infirmary on the east side of the plantation, G4x27 feet in size. 
The original cost of the farm and buildings was about .|4G,000, 
but there have been many additions and improvements since that 
time, and it is altogether likely that the expenditures on the prop- 
erty now exceed .^300,000. 

On January 21, 1811, a stone house having been erected op- 
posite the lane east of the schoolhouse, which it was'believed was 
designed for a store, with which it was apprehended it would be 
difficult to prevent improper communications on the part of the 
scholars, it was determined to purchase the property, which in- 
cluded one and one-half acres of land, the price asked being .f 1,300. 
About the same time it was decided to make the salary of the 
superintendent of the school |500 per year. 

One of the most difficult matters with which the management 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 375 

had to contend was that of making- the income meet the expendi- 
tures. The price of tuition and board was often changed to meec 
changed conditions, but if it were placed high enough to meet the 
cost then students fell off, and the aggregate income was reduced. 
If the price were placed low enough to attract plenty of students, 
then the aggregate cost of board and tuition was so increased that 
the income was too small. When the charge for board and tuition 
was placed at floO jjer year, the cost of such board and tuition 
was more than |200, so that there was a deficiency on each pupil's 
payments to the extent of more than .fSO per year. Another diffi- 
culty was that teachers would remain in the school only long- 
enough to find other positions at better pay, and hence as early 
as 1834 it was suggested that the only way to secure the services 
of competent teachers was to establish a permanent fund, the in- 
terest of which should be applied so far as it would go to the pay- 
ment of salaries to the best teachers that could be obtained by the 
payment of adequate salaries. Such a fund was afterward estab- 
lished. 

In 1844 the farm was carefully surveyed, and found to con- 
tain 599 acres, 2 rods and 34 perches. 

Early in the history of the institution a library was added to 
the other educational features, comprising- a considerable variety 
of woi'ks on history, biography, science and general literature. 
Extensive philosophical and chemical apparatus was introduced, 
and the regular course of study was so arranged and selected as 
to confer the greatest possible benefit upon the students. This 
school was established with the view mainly of instructing the 
young in the doctrines of the Friends, first educating the mind in 
such a way and to such a degree that it could readily comprehend 
tliem and perceive their beauty. This idea was well expressed 
by William Evans in his journal in 1853, when he said: "There is 
something- of importance that money cannot purchase. It is that 
Friends should be preserved under a right exercise that the insti- 



376 CHESTER COrXTY 

tiitiou may be couducted in such a manner as to support the primi- 
tive doctrines and testimonies of the Friends, and educate the chil- 
dren in them. This was the original couceru, and that has been 
blessed," and Mr. Evans expressed his belief that as Friends kept 
to this ground a blessing would continue to rest upon the school. 

From the beginning of this school both sexes have been ad- 
mitted to its benefits, communication between them being judi- 
ciouslv regulated. Since the division that occurred in the Society 
of Frinds in 1S27, this school has been continuously in the hands 
of the orthodox branch, and none but children of members of that 
branch are admitted to its privileges. The school is now heavily 
endowed, and the cost of board and tuition is much lower than 
in the earlier days. Many are boarded and instructed entirely 
without expense. Up to 1872 the number of students that had at- 
tended the school was 4,215 boys and 5,39G girls. There has been 
a very large number of teachers connected with the faculty of 
this school, and some of them unusually prominent in their re- 
spective callings. Among them may be named John Comly, 
author of Comly 's Gi*ammar; Enoch Lewis, author of several works 
on mathematical subjects; John Gummere, author of Gummere's 
Surveying, Astronomy, etc.; Joseph Foulke, Samuel Alsop, Emmor 
Kimber, Joshua Hoopes, at one time principal of a boarding school 
at West Chester, and a distinguished authority on botanical sub- 
jects; Jonathan Gause, a. noted Pennsjdvania teacher, and Joseph 
C. Strode, one of the most famous mathematicians in the United 
States. 

The original buildings have been several times added to and 
enlarged. The main building was 175 feet long and four stories 
high, and in 1S(>9 a building was erected G8x54 feet in size. In 
addition to the school and farm buildings there is a gristmill on 
the place. This school has very largely contributed to the diffu- 
sion of knowledge among mankind, and especially among Friends, 
and many of the private seminaries conducted by Friends may be 
traced directly or indirectly to this famous institution. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 377 

Since 1799 the total uumber of boys that have entered this 
school has been 5,350, and the total number of girls G,425, or a 
total enrollment of 11,775. Besides these there have been a few 
children of married teachers in attendance as "day scholars." 
At the present time (February, 1898), owing to the hard times of 
the past few years, there are but 90 boys and 70 girls in attendance. 
The highest aA'erage attendance ever reached was in 1810, when 
it was 241, and in 18G7, when it was 243. The lowest average 
attendance was in 1830, when it was down to 103. 

From the beginning down to 1896 the leading officer was al- 
ways called the superintendent, but in that year the office of prin- 
cipal was created. Other noted teachers, besides those named 
.above, have been Samuel Alsop, Jr., afterward well known at 
Haverford College; Joseph G. Harlan, also afterward of Haver- 
ford; Sarah Bailey, leading teacher of the older girls for thirty- 
five years; Isaac Sharpless, now president of Haverford College; 
J. Henrv' Bartlett, now principal of the Friends' school at Six- 
teenth and Cherry Streets, Philadelphia, and Thomas K. Brown, 
still at the school and author of a text book on Algebra. William 
F. Wickersham was appointed in 189(5 the first principal to fill 
the office then created, a position which he still occupies. 

During the year ending March 15, 1897, the expenses of the 
school were |48,S27.G5, while the income from the various funds 
was as follows: From board and tuition, |30,910; from merchan- 
dise, 1368.85; from farm, $706.94; from income of fund for paying, 
salaries, |734.88; from income of invested fund for general pur- 
poses, |G,825.11; from amount appropriated for use of school from 
income of Teachers' and Educational funds, $5,145.98, leaving the 
amount against the institution, |4,135.89. 

With reference to the course of study pursued at this insti- 
tution the following extract from the .catalogue of 189G will be 
sufficiently specific: 

"To suit the requirements of the long and short terms, most 



378 CHESTER COUNTY 

of the subjects are arranged to be completed in three, six, or nine 
months, the latter time being the whole school year. Three months' 
work in any subject is technically known as one study. Four 
studies are generally taken at once and twelve studies constitute 
a year's work. Three years' work, or thirty-six studies, selected 
as hereafter explained, will entitle the pupil to the diploma of the 
school. 

"The subjects in the prescribed course are divided into seven 
sections. Section I embraces English and Histoi*y; Section II, 
Science; Section III, Mathematics; Section IV, Latin; Section V, 
German; Section VI, Greek, and Section VII, French. 

"A student may graduate Avhen any three of the first six sec- 
tions have been completed, and enough additional work has been 
taken from the other sections to make the whole number of 
studies amount to thirtj^-six. Certain subjects, however, are re- 
quired of all students, and must be included within the three 
sections taken, or in the additional work. These are marked * in 
the following list." 

Then follows the "Prescribed Course" for three years, which 
it is not considered incumbent on this work to present; but in 
order to show the limit of the course the studies for the senior 
class, or third year, are here appended, with the studies marked * 
as above mentioned: 

"Third Year. Senior Class. 

"Section I. English.— Moral Philosophy* (1). Rhetoric* (1). 
English Literature* (1). Political Economy (1). Psychology (1). 

"Section II. Science. — Astronomy (1). Geology (1). 

"Section III. Mathematics. — Analytical Geometry (1). Ana- 
lytical Geometry or Arithmetic (1). 

"Section IV. Latin.— Horace (2). Elective Work in Ca?sar, 
Vergil or Cicero (1). 

"Section V. German. — William Tell, die Harzreise, etc. 
Eapid Eeading. Narration. Sight Reading. 



AXIJ ITS PIX)I'LE. 379 

"Section VI. Greek. — Herodotus. Homer. Plato's Apul- 
■ooy." 

The first successful movemeut looking to the establishment 
of an institution of learning in West Chester was made in 1811, in 
■wliicli year the West Chester Academy was incorporated. It was 
one of the leading schools of its class for fifty j-ears. The academy 
was established for the reason that the Chester County Academy, 
which had then been recently endowed by the State Legislature 
with |2,000, did not suit many of the citizens of West Chester as to 
its location. Under the lead of William Hemphill nearly |8,000 
was promptly subscribed by the citizens of West Chester and 
vicinity for the establishment of this institution in their midst. 
An acre of land was purchased on which, in 1812, a building was 
erected, and the institution duly launched upon its career. But 
the war with England which broke out in 1812 prevented the 
academy from receiving the attention it would otherwise have 
received at the beginning, and its growth was consequently 
checked to some extent thereby. The first teachers in the school 
were Dr. John Gemniil and Jonathan Cause, the former having 
charge of the classical department, and the latter of the mathe- 
matical. Dr. Gemmil died in 1814, and soon afterward Mr. Gause 
became the principal teacher, holding the position most of the 
time until 1829, when he resigned to establish a private school. 
During the time Mr. Gause was principal the academy flourished, 
in the meantime receiving in 1817 a grant of |1,000. Many men 
who afterward became distinguished were educated at West 
Chester Academy while Mr. Gause was in charge, among them 
jSlmrod Strickland, Washington Townsend, John Hickman, Jo- 
seph Hemphill, Dr. Wilmer Worthington, William W. Jefferis, 
James B. Everhart and Dr. George Smith, the latter of whom 
served in the Legislature of the State, and wrote what is still the 
best "History of Delaware County.'' 

From 1829 to 1831 the academy had several different princi- 



38o , CHESTER COLXTY 

pals, but in this latter year a noted individual, Jean Antoine 
Bruniu de Bolniar, a native of France, became principal, and re- 
mained in charge until 1840. Mr. Bolmar was one of the most 
energetic of teachers, and is still remembered with great respect. 
Under his direction the school reached the zenith of its fame and 
usefulness, being crowded with pupils. From 1840 to 1854 this 
academy was in charge of James Oowell, and from 1854 to 1800 
William F. Wyers was the principal. During this latter period 
it became necessary to erect new buildings in order to accommo- 
date the scholars, and when Mr. Wyers wi-thdrew in 1800 he was 
succeeded by J. Hunter Worrall and Eugene Paulin, they remain- 
ing in charge until 1809, when the institution was closed as a 
separate and distinct school, and merged into the W^est Chester 
State Normal School. 

This change came about through a proposition made in 1809 
by the trustees of the W^est Chester Academy to the citizens of 
West Chester, to the effect that the change be made. The citizens 
responded in a most liberal manner, raising more than |40,000 for 
the purpose. At the same time the trustees of the Chester County 
Cabinet of Natural Sciences, which was founded in 1820, merged 
their property and valuable collections into the enterprise. Alto- 
gether there was raised |75,000, and much valuable property in 
the shape of libraries, museums, etc., was contributed. Ten acres 
of ground in the southern part of the borough of West Chester 
were purchased from the Hon. Wayne MacVeagh, and upon this 
land in 1870-71, the original building, comprising about one-third 
of the present main building, a cut of which as it now appears is 
here introduced, was erected. 

This building was opened in the fall of 1S71, with Ezekiel H. 
Cook, a graduate of Bowdoin College, as principal, and a strong 
faculty' of teachers. There were about 100 students in attendance 
during the first year, but from various causes the first year's work 
was not Avholly a success, and at its close the Principal and scv- 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 381 

oral members of the faculty resij;iied. The secoud year opeued 
with Dr. William A. Chandler, a ^^radnate of the University of 
Michigan, as principal, and with a decreased attendance. Dr. 
Chandler resigned at the beginning of the spring term of 1873, 
having served as Principal about six months. He was immedi- 
ately succeeded by Professor (ieorge L. Maris, also a graduate of 
the University of Michigan, and who had just completed his terra 
as Superintendent of Public Schools of Chester County. Pro- 
fessor Maris found the school greatly reduced in numbers, and for 
more than eight yeai's labored diligently and successfully in build- 
ing up and maintaining the school. 

The first addition to the original main building was erected 
in 1878-79, being the north wing of the building as it is to-day. 
The first class graduated under Professor Maris' administration 
in 1874, and he resigned in 1881 to accept a professorship in 
Swarthmore College as well as the Superinteudency -of the Friends' 
schools connected with the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. 

Professor Maris was succeeded by Dr. George Morris Philips, 
the present Principal of the school. Dr. Philips had previously 
been connected with the scho(d as professor of higher mathematics 
frona the close of Professor Chandler's principalship in the spring 
of 1873 until the summer of 1878, when he became professor of 
mathematics and astronomy at his alma mater, the University at 
Lewisburg, Pennsj'lvania, now Bucknell University. This posi- 
tion he resigned in 1881 when he succeeded Professor Maris in 
the principalship of the Normal school. Upon the accession of 
Dr. Philips to this i^osition the school at once entered upon a 
period of growth and prosperity, which has caused it to be geu- 
erally recognized as the foremost Normal School in the State, ami 
(-ne of the foremost in the entire country. Its students ha^e 
nearly, if not quite, quadrupled during this period, and its faculty 
has grown in the same proportion and has been greatly strength- 
ened, until it is now scarcely equaled for scholarship and experi- 
ence in teaching by that of any other normal school in the country. 



382 CHESTER COUNTY ' 

The south wing of the main building was begun during the first 
year of Dr. Philips' incumbency, and it was soon followed by the 
laundry and boiler building in 1885, the dining-room, chapel and 
Sanitary towers in 1880-87, the gymnasium in 1890, the Principal's 
residence and infirmary in 1891-92, the recitation liall in 1892-93, 
tlie kitchen and storeroom in 1893. Four acres were added to the 
original Mac^'eagh lot in 1889, to the northward; five acres were 
purchased and also a site for the infirmary in 1891; the grounds 
of the Chester County Agricultural Society in 1895, and a piece 
adjoining the latter tract in 1898, increasing the original ten acres 
1<i forty-six. In 1890 a complete electric light plant and a large 
elevator were put in, and in the aggregate the i)roperty of the 
school has up to the present time (1898) cost about |500,000. 

The enrollment of students each year is about 1,000, and 
these students come from all parts of Pennsylvania and from other 
states of the Union, and also some from foreign countries. Each 
year the school graduates a hundred or more young men and 
women well equipped for the profession of teaching, which pro- 
fession, with but few exceptions, they enter upon, and they are 
almost universally successful. Its graduates now number more 
than a thousand, almost all of them at present eugaged in teacli- 
ing, winning success in all parts of the country, while its under- 
graduates number nearly ten times as many as its graduates. 

The school is well equipped in all departments; its grounds 
fire ample and handsomely laid out and improved, and its buihl- 
ings are pronouuced by all who have seen them to be the finest 
State Normal School buildings in the United States. They are 
constructed of green or serpentine stone from quarries in Chester 
County, and are substantial and massive. Its gymnasium has 
long been admitted to be the best and most completely' equipped 
of any of its class in the country, and it is scarcely second to that 
of any of the first-class universities. Its library is large, well- 
selected, aud is constantly increasing, and it possesses valuable 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 



383 



botanical, zoological and mineralogical collections. Every de- 
partment of the school is well equipped with the necessary ap- 
paratus, and the school, as a whole, is in a thoroughly first-class 
and efficient condition. It is now larger and more prosperous 
than at any time in the past, and gives every evidence of con- 
tinued and increasing success. 

The faculty of the school during the year 1897-98 was as fol- 
lows: 



George Morris Philips, A. M., 

Ph. D., Principal. 
David M. Sensenig, M. S., 

Higher Mathematics. 
C. B. Cochran, A. M., 

Physics and Chemistry. 
Elvira Y. Speakman, 

Geography and Spelling. 
A. Thomas Smith, Ph. D., 

Pedagogy. 
Francis H. Green, A. M., 

English. 
Eva J. Blanchard, 

Principal of Model School. 
C. E. Ehinger, M. D., 

Director of Gymnasium. 
Charlotte X. Hardee, Mus. B., 

Music. 
Esther M. Groome, 

Drawing and Writing. 
S. C. Schmucker, A. M., Ph. D., 

Biological Sciences. 
Foster H. Starkey, A. M., 

Languages. 
Joseph S. Walton, Ph. D., 

History and German. 



Cora E. Everett, 

Beading. 
J. W. F. Wilkinson, A. M., 

Higher Mathematics. 
Joseph J. Bailey, 

Manual Training. 
Lydia A. Martin, M. E., 

Mathematics. 
Mrs. A. M. Sensenig, M. E., 

Mathematics. 
Sara S. Kirk, M. E., 

English Grammar. 
Mrs. C. E. Ehinger, 

Physical Culture. 
Helen H. Ely, M. E., 

Model School. 
Robert Anderson, A. B., 

Mathematics. 
William S. Delp, M. E., 

Bookkeeping and Mathe- 
matics. 
Anna M. Esler, M. E., 

Reading and Grammar. 
Elizabeth F. Criley, M. E., 

English Branches. 



384 CHESTER COUNTY 

Elizabeth D. Perry, Ethel M. Davie, 

3Iusic. Model School. 

Louis J. Palmer, A. M., Humphrey M. Carpenter, 

Latiu and History. Violin, Flute and Violoncello. 

Harriet Baldwin, Edgar H. Sensenich, B. E., 

Pedagogy and Latin. Secretary. 

Carl G. vSchrader, Alice Cochran, 

Assistant in Gymnasium. Librarian. 
Nathena P. Young, 

Assistant in Gymnasium. 

George Morris Philips, Ph. D., Principal of the West Chester 
State Normal Sc;hool, was born in Penningtonville (now Atglen), 
Chester County, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1851. Having i-e- 
ceived his elementary education in the schools of his native village, 
and his academic education in the high school there taught by 
Prof. William E. Buck, he then attended the Lewisburg University, 
now Bucknell Universitj', graduating from this latter institution 
in 1871. He was immediately elected professor of mathematics in 
Monongahela College, and tilled that position for about two years, 
resigning in 1873 to accept a similar position in the West Chester 
State Normal School, which position he retained five years. Then 
resigning this latter position he accepted the professorship of 
mathematics and astronomy in Lewisburg University, which he 
retained until 1881, when he was chosen princiixil of the West 
Chester State Normal School, and has held this position ever since. 

During his administration of this office the attendance at the 
Normal School has trebled, more than |300,000 has been expended 
in permanent improvements, and the school has come into the first 
rank of Nonual Schools in this country. Dr. Philips is a member 
of the College and University Council of Pennsylvania; a director 
of the National Bank of Chester County and of the 
Dime Savings Bank of West Chester; president of the Chester 
County Historical Society; a trustee of Bucknell University, and a 



.LA7) /7',S' PEOPLE. 385 

luauager of the Chester Couuty Hospital. He is tlie author of 
several popular and widely read text books, is a popular lecturer 
and institute instructor. In 1SS8 he was elected president of 
r>ucknell University, and in 1890 was tendered by Gov. Beaver the 
State Superintendency of Public Instruction of Pennsylvania, both 
of which, in addition to various other tempting positions, he de- 
clined. He is a Son of the Revolution, being a great-grandson of 
Lieut. John Philips of the Bevolutiouary Army. In 1877 he was 
married to Elizabeth M. Pyle, daughter of William H. Pyle, of 
Chester County, and has two children, Willie P. and Sarah E. 

After retiring from the principalship of A^'est Chester Acad- 
emy in 1829 Jonathan Cause opened a private school, Avhich he 
named "The West Chester Boarding School for Young Men aud 
Boys." This institution he conducted until 1832, when he was 
succeeded by Cheyney Hannum. Then, retiring to his farm in 
West Bradford Township, he opened "The Greenwood Dell Board- 
ing School," which became very popular and^was continued until 
1839, when Mr. Gause became principal of the Unionville Academy, 
which he conducted until 1847, when he reopened the Greenwood 
Dell Boarding School and was its principal until 1865 Then, hav- 
ing been a teacher for more than fifty-seven years, he retired to a 
well-earned private life. 

Joshua Hoopes established "The Downingtown Boarding School 
for Boys'" in 1817, and continued it until 1834, when he removed 
to West Chester, aud there opened "Hoopes' Boarding School for 
Boys," which he continued until 18G2, when, on account of advanc- 
ing age, he ceased to teach. 

Edward Sparks in 1816 established "The East Bradford Board- 
ing School for Boys," and was succeeded in the principalship 
thereof in 1818 by Joseph C. Strode, who remained its principal, 
with an occasional interval, until 1846. Lewis Levis then became 
t))e principal and conducted the school until 18.57, when Mr. Levis 
closed the school and became a teacher in the school being con- 
ducted by Mr. Bolmar. 



386 CHESTER COUNTY 

Mrs. Phelps' Young Ladies' Boarding School was established 
in 1838, by a joint stock company, the company erecting an elegant 
edifice in West Chester for the accommodation of young ladies. 
This school was in charge of Mrs. Almira IT. Lincoln Phelps, an 
accomplished lady, and well known as the author of a work ou 
botany. Townsend Eachus was the principal mover in the estab- 
lishment of this schodl, wliicli flourished abundantly while in 
charge of Mrs. Phelps. However, at length the comjiany failed, 
and the property was sold bj- the sheriff, being purchased in 1840 
by Anthony Bolmar, who is often referred to as the Napoleon ijf 
teachers. Mr. Bolmar converted the school into a boarding school 
for young men and boys, and it became widely known, attracted 
numerous pupils even from the Southern States and West Indies, 
and was, in fact, one of the most floiirishing institutions of the kind 
in tlie land. The school was noted for its thoroughly systematic 
and exact discipline, and its principal was too watchful ever to be 
outwitted by any of his pupils. He was the author of several edu- 
cational works for the instruction of pupils in French. He re- 
mained at the head of the institution until 1859, when business re- 
quired his presence in France, and during his absence from this 
country the school was closed. Upon his return he made an at- 
tempt to reopen it, but his health was too badly shattered, and he 
died February 27, 1861, at the age of sixty-four years, leaving a 
widow and six children. 

From 1862 to 1865 the property was occupied by the Pennsyl- 
vania Military Academy, under the presidency of Col. Theodore 
Hyatt, in the latter year being removed to Chester. The property 
was then purchased by another of Chester County's noted teachers, 
William F. Wyers, who in 1866 opened a school therein, called by 
him "Wyers' Scientific and Classical Institute for Boys." This 
school Mr. Wyers conducted until his death in 1871. Mr. Wyers 
was succeeded by Robert M. McGlellan, who conducted the school 
for two years, when the property was purchased for the Catholic 



AND ITti PEOPLE. 387 

Convent of the Immaculate Heart, and a school establisheil thereiu 
entitled "Villa Maria Academy for Young Ladies," which has since 
been conducted by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart. Under 
their efficient management the original property has more than 
trebled in value, and several spacious additions have been made 
to the buildings, among them an exquisite building of Avondale 
stone containing chapel and commencement hall. A fifth story 
lias been addeil to the entire main building, and an extensive north 
wing, for the use of the community, raised to an equal height. 

Villa Maria has an attendance of about one hundred ami 
twenty resident pupils, and the course of study is arranged on a 
modern basis, conducive to a most thorough training. The de- 
partments are four in number, viz.: primary, intermediate, senior 
and academic. The instniction includes a systematic course in 
English, mathematics, elementary sciences, Latin, German, 
French, history, bookkeeping, drawing and music, the latter in all 
its branches. 

In December, 1894, a purchase of four acres was annexed to 
the convent property upon which, in September, 1895, a boarding 
school for small boys was opened under the title of St. Aloysius 
Academy, the present number of pupils here being twenty-seven, 
and the lads are laying a first-class foundation for a future busi^ 
ness or college course. 

Mr. McClellan, above mentioned, moved his school to the 
Evans school property, on West Union Street, which is now partly 
occupied by the Reformed Episcopal Church, where he continued 
to teach .a few years longer. 

Emmor Kiniber in 1817 established the French Creek Board- 
ing School for Girls, the name of which was changed to the Kim- 
berton Boarding School when a postoffice was established there, 
named Kimberton, .January 15, 1820, Mr. Kimber being made the 
first postmaster. This school was conducted on principles quite 
different from those usually in operation in such schools, there 



388 CHEtiTER COUNT y 

being no rules iu operation, the entire plan of government being 
based on tlie Golden Kule. In the management and teaching of 
the pupils attending this school, Mr. Kimber was aided hy his 
accomplished daughters, and all of them, father and daughters, 
had the faculty of maintaining an invisibLe government, which was 
none the less effective because it was based entirely upon the sense 
of honor of the pupils, who came not onl}^ from other States, but 
also from the West Indies. Mr. Kimber died in 1850, and the 
school was closed after a most useful career of thirty-three years. 

Afterward a school was conducted at the same place by the 
Kev. J. K. Dimm. 

George Pierce established the Brandywine Boarding School 
iu ISIG, and conducted it until 1823, when it was closed. 

Rev. Francis Alison Latta established Moscow Academy, a 
classical and literary institution, in Sadsbury Township, in 182G, 
and it was a successful institution for some years, though under 
different principals. It closed its career in 1840. Rev. Mr. Latta 
was a tine scholar, especially in the classics and theology, and 
was a Presbyterian minister. He died April 21, 1834. 

Rev. James Latta in 1830 opened Mantua Female Seminary, a 
sort of companicn school to Moscow Academy, and located only a 
short distance from it. For several years it had a successful 
career. 

LTuionville Academy was established in 1834 by the liberalitj' 
of citizens in the vicinitj', who donated the land and erected the 
buildings. It was for many years one of the best known and most 
successful private schools iu the county. Among its principals 
were such men as Milton White, Gaylord L. More, Cheyney Hau- 
num, James Fling, Jonathan Gause, Milton Durnall, Henry S. 
Kent, Jacob W. Harvej', A. A. Meader, and among its illustrious 
pupils were Bayard Taylor and James P. Wickersham. 

Evan Pugh opened a school for young men in 1847 in East 
Nottingham Township, which was known as Jordan Bank Acad- 




..-/^^^^^^^^vj' 



A^'D /r^S' PEOPLE. 391 

t'iny. This school he coudueted iintil 1853, when he went to 
Europe, graduated at the Uuiversity of Heidelberg, Avhich con- 
ferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Physical Science, and 
upon his return home in 1859 he at once became president of the 
Agricultural College of Pennsylvania. 

At Kockville in Houeybrook Township there was established 
in 1848 a school by the name of Howard Academy, under the 
principalship of Prof. James McClune, LL. D., and the same school 
was aftei'ward conducted by Rev. S. Ogdeu, A. Kirkland, and 
others, until 1862. 

Benjamin Price conducted a school in East Bradford from 
about 1842 to 1847, which was known by the name of Prospect Hill 
Boarding School. 

Philip and Eachel Price in 1830 opened Price's Boarding 
School for Girls in West Chester, and this school was conducted 
by their daughter, Mrs. Hannah P. Davis, until 1852, when it was 
purchased by Miss P. C. Evans and her sisters. The school then 
became the West Chester Female Seminary, and was conducted 
in the same building until 1872, which in that year was purchased 
by Pobert M. McClellan, who established therein McClellan's In- 
stitute for Boys, which was discontinued some years later. 

Mary B. Thomas and her sistere in 1839 opened a boarding- 
school for girls, in Downingtown, which they conducted for many 
years. 

Carl Heins had a similar institution in the same town for boys, 
which he conducted from 1800 to his death, in 1865. 

F. Donleavy Long in 1871 opened in Downingtown the Chester 
A'alley Academy for Boys, which he conducted for many years. 

Alexander Moore opened the Downingtown Academy for Boys 
in 1872, and conducted it for some years. 

Moses Coates conducted a boarding school in Coatesville from 
1834 to 1838, and a select school was carried on there for some 
years, beginning in 1871, by Francis Parke and Benjamin I. Miller. 
23 



392 CHESTER COUNTY 

The Coatesville Academy, under several different principals, was 
in operation at Coatesville from 1S53 to 18GS. 

The Eaton Institute for Girls was established in 1843 at Keu- 
nett Square, and this school was for a long time an excellent insti- 
tution. It was afterward under the principalship of Evan T. 
Swayne. Joseph B. Phillips had a noted school for some years at 
Kennett Square, having among his pupils such men as Bayard 
Taylor, Dr. Howard Pugh, Dr. Elisha Gatchell and Dr. John B. 
Phillips. 

Dr. Franklin Taylor, Dr. Elwood Harvey and Prof. Pordyce A. 
Allen in 1852 opened a normal school in West Chester, Professor 
Allen soon afterward becoming sole proprietor, and opening in 
1860 a female institute in connection therewith. These schools 
Avere continued until 1864. Dr. Franklin Taylor in 1875 opened 
Kennett Academy, and conducted it for some years. Dr. Taylor 
had previously had charge of the Young Ladies' Academy, in West 
Chester, from 1867 to 1870, a school Avhich, under the name of the 
Young Ladies' Select School, was established in 18C0 by Miss 
Lamboru and Miss Worrall, and it was conducted by them until 
1867. 

The Oxford Female Seminary was established by Rev. J. M. 
Dickey about 1835, always had a large number of students from 
Maryland and Delaware, received the State appropriation in 183S, 
and for many years was an excellent institution of learning. 

Rev. Alfred Hamilton in 1847 established at Fagg's Manor an 
institution which, in honor of the old school of the Blairs at that 
place, he named "Blair's Hall."' It Avas iu operation about eight 
years. 

A school for females was in operation at Parkesburg from 
1853 for some years, and was in charge of Miss Hannah Cooper, 
and later of the Misses Kelley and Johnson. 

Benjamin Swayne established Londongrove Boarding School 
for Young Men and Boys in 1849, and it was successfully con- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 393 

In the same place Eebecca B. Pugli's Boardinji- and Day School 
for Children was opened in 1848, removed to West Chester in 1854, 
condncted there until 1874, when it was discontinued. 

Thomas H. Harvey had a school for young men in Penn Town- 
ship from 1S40 to 1855, and sent out into the world many well- 
educated young men, among them the celebrated Isaac I. Hayes, 
Arctic explorer. 

Thomas Berry, for some years prior to 1835, conducted a school 
near Fairville, named Harmony Hill Boarding School for Girls. 

Jesse D. Sharpless established Fairville Institute, for pupils of 
both sexes, in 1854, and it was in operation until 1868, as many as 
ninety students being sometimes in attendance. "■• 

Fremont Academy in East Nantmeal Township was con- 
ducted from 1847 to 1858 by Jesse E. Phillips. 

Oakdale Academy was conducted fi'om 1855 to 1875 by David 
Phillips, and then by J. C. Guilden, being located at Pughtown. 

Ivy Institute for Girls, at Pughtown, was under the charge of 
Jesse Hawley and his daughters there from 1856 to 1870, in the 
latter year being removed to Phoenixville. 

Eev. J. E. Bradley was in charge of the Grovemont school at 
Phoenixville from 1856 to 186G. 

The Ividge Koad Academj was in operation from 1S52 to 1853. 
The Springville Academy from 1858 to 1872; Johnson's School at 
Guthrieville from 1870 until a few years ago. Malvern Boarding 
School, for both sexes, under Jane M. Eldridge, was established 
in 1860. Thomas Conard and Thomas P. Conard were success- 
ively principals of West Grove Boarding School for Girls from 
1853 to 1869. Henry S. Kent had a boarding school in Beun Town- 
ship from 1860 to 1863. Hannah M. Cope's Toughkenamon Board- 
ing School was established in 1867. Abraham Fetters established 
Edgefield Institute in Upper UAVchlan in 1867. Cheyney Hannum 
taught a school in West Chester from 1832 to 1838. Mrs. Sarah 
Fales also had a school there from 1838 to 1842. Miss Sarah Ed 



394 CHESTER COUNTY 

munds bad one in the same city fioui 1842 to 1850. J. W. Pinker- 
ton taught a school for girls, and Thomas B. Jacobs one for boys, 
in West Cliester for some years. James M. Hughes had a school 
for girls there from 1854 to 1858. Miss Barclay's sele<-t school was 
located at No. 96 West Miner Street. Miss Emma Dennis' primary 
school was at (!4 West Gay Street. Miss Hannah Embree's pri- 
mary school was at the northeast corner of Church and Barnard 
Streets. Miss Mary C. Pratt's day school for young ladies was in 
the rear of the Chester County Cabinet. Miss E. W. llichards' 
Young Ladies' Boarding School was at No. 96 East Gay Street. 
The Student's Home, kept by Isabella B. Butler and Sarah Hughes, 
was at the northeast corner of Market and High Streets, where is 
now the Turk's Head Hotel. 

Edward E. Orvis conducted a female seminary for two or 
three years in New London called the New London Female Semi- 
nary, beginning May 16, 1853. 

J. William Thorne began his boarding school in Sadsbury 
Township, four miles north of Parkersburg, in the summer of 1856, 
and there taught the Latin and French languages and lectured on 
English classics, historj' and astronomy. This school was discon- 
tinued in 1866. 

In 1857 the citizens of Parkesburg and its vicinity had deter- 
mined to establish an academy- at the; village named, and organ- 
ized a board of seven trustees for the purpose. Three acres of 
ground immediately north of the Pennsylvania railroad shops 
were purchased, and the school A\as opened in November, 1857, in 
the basement of the Baptist Church, by W. ^^'. Woodruff, a grad- 
uate of Oberlin College, Ohio, he being the only teacher. In the 
summer of 1858 a large building Avas erected suitable for a board- 
ing school, costing, together with the grounds, about |7,000, to 
which the schoolwas transferred. In this new building Mr. Wood- 
ruff taught until the spring of 1860, having an average attendance 
of about thirty-live students, all boys. Professor Woodruff, being 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 395 

a friend of the co-educatiou of the sexes, proposed to lease the 
academy property for five years, provided he were permitted to 
receive both sexes into his school; but his proposition being de- 
clined by the trustees, he removed to West Chester, and was soon 
after elected Superintendent of Schools for the county. Several 
attempts were subsequently made to revive the academy, but with- 
only partial success, the property being finally sold and a private 
school for both sexes established and kept up for a few years. The 
property then passed into the hands of a private citizen, and is 
now occupied as a dwelling. In Professor Woodruff's academy 
were taught algebra, geometry, trigonometry, Latin, Greek and 
French. Those who succeeded Professor Woodruff in the man- 
agement of this school were Kev. David X. Juukin, J. Morgan Raw- 
lins, Eev. J. Landis, William W. Rupert and Milton R. Alexander. 

In 1854 an institution was incorporated by the Legislature of 
Pennsylvania, under the name of tlie Aslimun Institute, for the 
education of young men of negro parentage, in response to a reso- 
lution ])assed by the New Castle Presbytery, October 5, 1853. This 
resolution, introduced and advocated by the I{ev. Dr. John Miller 
Dickey, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Oxford, Pennsyl- 
vania, was as follows: 

"Considering the many Christian congregations of colored 
people in this country which are unable to secure educated minis- 
ters of their own color; considering the communities of such peo- 
ple in many parts who need educated men amongst them to fill 
the places of teachers and other responsible situations; consider- 
ing the wants of Liberia and the importance to its present and 
future welfare of having suitably qualified men to fill its offices 
and posts of authority, instruction and influence; considering the 
vast missionary work yet to be done in Africa, and to be mainly 
done by persons of African descent; considering how extremelj' 
dilficult it is for coloi^ed youth to obtain a liberal education in this 
land, arising from want of schools for that purpose, and their ex- 



396 CHESTER COUNTY 

elusion from all regular institutions of learning of a higher grade; 
considering the strong recommendation to that effect from oiir 
board of education and its full indorsement by the General As- 
sembly of our Church, and considering the favorable indications 
of Providence at this time apparently calling us to such a work: 

^'This Presbytery, trusting in God, and under Him, depending 
on the Christian liberality of the friends of the African race 
throughout our country, do determine as follows: 

"1. That there shall be established Avithin our bounds and 
under our supervision an institution to be called the Ashmun In- 
stitute,* for the scientific, classical and theological education of 
colored youth of the male sex." 

Doctor Dickey was in reality the founder and the animating 
spirit of the euterimse, and continued to be so until his death, 
which occurred in March, 1S7S. From the day of the inception of 
the institute he continued to labor for its success with abiding 
faith. When it was in need of funds, and there was no other way 
10 raise them, he mortgaged his own property to secure the nec- 
essary resources. 

Ashmun Institute existed as such for ten years, during which 
period it did good work without a fixed curriculum or a graded 
course of study. Theology was taught with the classics and other 
studies, and about thirty joung men whom it had instructed were 
sent out into the field, twelve of whom became ministers, and two 
of whom went as ministers to Africa. At the close of the year, 
1865, when nearly 4,000,000 slaves were suddenly freed and thrown 
upon the compassion of the church and the coimtry with almost 
no education, with few schools, few churches, few teachers and 
few preachers, it was at once evident that Ashmun Institute was 
wholly inadequate to the work needed to be done, and the charter 
secured in 1854 was so amended as to grant new and enlarged 



* Named after Jehudi Ashmun, well knuwn for his labors in Liberia. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 397 

powers to the board of trustees and faculty, increasing their right 
to hold property, and authorizing them to confer degrees. The 
name was changed to that of the "Lincoln University," to indicate 
the broader scope it had acquired and to honor the great Emanci- 
pator. 

In 1S70, when the two branches of the Presbyterian Church, 
"Old and New school," were reunited. New Castle Presbytery, 
which up to that time had had control of this institution, was de- 
prived of all ecclesiastical control north of Mason and Dixon's 
line, another change in the charter became necessary, and by this 
change the control of theological instruction was transferred to 
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United 
States, this relation between the institution and the General As- 
sembly still continuing. The Theological Department, which pro- 
vides a full three years' course, has been from the first the heart 
of the university's work, but in 1871 it was rearranged and en- 
larged. In connection with this course there is a more limited 
one, in English only. In 1871 tAvo other courses or departments 
were organized, Medicine and Law, which in 1874 were discon- 
tinued on account of the financial depression then existing. 

The catalogue of 1897 states that more than 500 young men 
had then been sent out from the Preparatory Department and the 
lower classes in the Collegiate Department, and that from the Col- 
legiate Department 551 had been graduated, after a course of in- 
struction extending over four years, and in many cases over seven 
years, including the preparatory and the regular collegiate course. 
Most of these graduates are engaged in educational and profession- 
al labors in the Southern States. Two hundred and thirty-five of 
the students had received ordination as ministers of Evangelical 
Protestant denominations, and thirteen had gone to Africa as 
missionaries. 

This university has eighty acres of land in Lower Oxford, 
Chester County, and its buildings consist of a Chapel, the Yail 



398 CHESTER COUXTY 

Memorial Library buildino;, University Hall, a builfliuft- for general 
purposes; Livingston Hall, for commencement assemblies and ca])- 
able of seating 1,000 persons; the Harriet Watson Jones Hospital; 
Ashmim Hall, Lincoln Hall, Cresson Hall, and Houston Hall, the 
four containing dormitories for students, and there are besides, 
nine residences for the professors. The value of the entire property 
of the university is now f 250, 000; the professorship fund bearing- 
interest is fl40,000, and the fund for scholarship is .foO,000. 

At the present time the corps of professors numbers ten, though 
through the death of Rev. Gilbert T. Woodhull, February 11, 1898, 
one chair became vacant. The nine professors remaining are as 
follows: Eev. Isaac N. Eendall, D. D., president and professor of 
logic, psychology and ethics since 1855; Eev. John B. Kendall, A. 
M., professor of Latin since 1871; J. Craig Miller, M. D., professor 
of natural science; Eev. E. L. Stewart, D. D., i)rofessor of pastoral 
theology, evidences of Christianity and Biblical antiquities; Eev. 
J. Aspinwall Hodge, D. D., professor of Biblical instruction; Wal- 
ter L. Wright, Jr., A. M., professor of mathematics; Eev. William 
Deas Kerswill, B. D., professor of Hebrew and history; Rev. George 
B. Carr, D. D., professor of rhetoric; Eev. William E. Bingham, 
D. D., instructor in systematic theology. 

Eev. Edward Webb, financial secretary of this institution 
from 1873 until his death, was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, England, 
December 15, 1819, and was at different times pastor of Pres- 
byterian Churches at Darby, Glasgow, Delaware, Andover and the 
Ashmun Church at Lincoln University. His death occurred sud- 
denly' from heart disease just after he had taken the train at 
Oxford, Chester County, his place of residence, for Philadelphia, 
on the morning of April 6, 3898. 

Ercildoun Seminary is noted in part for having been destroyed 
by a tornado or whirlwind July 1, 1877. This institution of learn- 
ing was established in 1851 by Smedley Darlington, as a boys' 
academy, but in 1854 it was changed to a school for girls. The 



AXD /TaS? people. 399 

buikling- was a four-story structure and capable of accommodatinji- 
about fifty pupils. It was conducted by its founder as a girls' 
school for about seven years, and then it passed into the hands 
of Richard Darlington, brother of Smedlej'. Richard Darlington, 
after viewing the ruins of liis property caused by the storm, 
araountiug to |9,500, decided that it Avould be best to change the 
locution of his school, and purchased a valuable property, contain- 
ing twenty-six acres of land, in the vicinity of West Chester, 
twelve miles east of its former location. Upon this property he 
erected buildings of the most approved character, and had more 
room for pupils than before. It was also believed that other 
advantages besides additional room would accrue to it, from 
its being more easy of access, and because of its being near to 
such a beautiful and well-situated town. 

The grounds embrace twenty-seven acres of land, lying about 
three-fourths of a mile southwest of the court-house in West 
Chester, and are surrounded by a line privet hedge. The build- 
ings are four in number — one of stone, two of brick and one frame 
building containing the gymnasium. They are all connected by 
interior halls. The main school building is 45x60 feet in size and 
three stories high. The second building contains the dining-room, 
capable of seating frcmi sixty to seventy pupils. The stone build- 
ing contains the double parlors and office of the seminary, and the 
fourth or frame building, as statecj, the gymnasium. The build- 
ings, which are altogether ISO feet long, were expected expressly 
for school purposes, and contain all necessary modern improve- 
ments. They are all supplied with pure spring water by means 
of a windmill, which tills a tank in the upper part of the buildings. 
Excellent spring water is also forced up by a hydraulic ram to all 
the buildings. 

The course of instruction comprises a thorough P^ugiish educa- 
tion, together with the Latin, (J reek, German and French lan- 
guages. Music, drawing, crayoniug, painting, in oil and water 



400 CHESTER COUXTY 

colors, are all tanglit. The Fuller Literary Society holds its meet- 
iugs every week, and there is an excellent library of about 1,000 
volumes, to which all students have access. 

The electric railway (Lenape Branch) passes the grounds on 
the south, and has a station near and on purpose for the seminary. 

Richard Darlington, Ph. D., is the Principal of the school, and 
is assisted by nine other teachers, seven of whom are ladies. The 
number of graduates since 1888 has been as follows: 1888, (!; 
1889, 7; 1890, 10; 1891, 3; 1892, 10; 1893, (i; 1894, G; 1895, 7; 1890, 
10; 1897, 7. 

The entire number of pupils that have attended this well- 
known institution since it was founded is about 2,500, some of 
whom have attained a wide reputation in the professions of teach- 
ing, medicine, law and literature, and they are living in nearly 
every State of the Union. The value of the sx-hool buildings, 
grounds and private dwellings on the property is more than |35,- 
000. This school has prepared a large number of pupils for admis- 
sion to some of the leading colleges of the country, such as Wel- 
lesley, Vassar, Bryu Mawr, Swarthmore and others. It has all 
the features of a home school, yet its numbers give it the advantage 
of a large seminaiy. Pegular courses of lectures are given on 
scientific and literary subjects, which are well attended and valu- 
able. This is one of the oldest private institutions of its kind in 
Eastern Pennsylvania, a section widely known for its excellent pri- 
vate schools. 

In 1865 William E. Buck of New Hampshire opened an acad- 
emy at Atglen under the name of the Penn High School, which he 
conducted with constantly increasing success and efficiency for 
about five years. At first this school was kept in the basement 
of the Presbyterian Church, but, outgrowing its accommodations, 
it was found necessary by Mr. Buck to purchase adjoining grounds, 
which he did, and upon which he erected a two-story building, 
which gave ample room for his school during the remainder of 



AND TTS PEOPLE. 401 

his stay. Mi*. Buck was an excellent scholar nutl a fine teacher 
and disciplinarian, and many yonng people for miles around were 
educated by him. After the death of his wife he s'^^'e up the 
school and returned to his native state, and has been for many 
■years and is now the efficient superintendent of the city schools 
of Manchester, New Hampshire. 

For a short time his school at Atglen was owned and con- 
ducted by a Mr. McClellan, who sold the property to the school 
directors of the village, and recently a new and modern-graded 
school building and school has taken the place of the former 
academy. 

Still anotlier private school was maintained at Penningion- 
ville for many years by the late John M. Philips, father of Dr. 
Philips of the Normal School at West Chester. There being no 
public school in or near the village he erected a building at his 
own expense, and for a number of years engaged and paid a 
teacher for his own and for his neighbors' children. This school 
has been superseded also by public schools of more recent date. 

The history of the public schools in Chester County must be 
brieriy traced. Some of these common schools were at first kept 
in the session-houses of the churches, but at a later period houses 
were built on purpose for their accommodation. These early dis- 
trict school-houses were either of logs or stone, and sometimes they 
were in octagonal form, and then were called eight-square school- 
houses. The desks were placed around the outside of the interior 
of the building, the children sitting with their faces to the walls. 
Benches without backs were placed in the middle of the room 
for the smaller pupils, there was a desk for the teacher, a large 
stove in the middle of the room, and there was a "pass," which was 
a small paddle with the words "in" on one side, and "out" on the 
other. The early teachers were often characters in their way- 
One of them named Abel AVickersham was the proprietor of a 
remarkable book, called "Sjnopsis Mathematica Universalis," or 



402 CHESTER COUNTY 

"Brief System of Mathematics for Young Students." It included 
cliajitei's on Arithmetic, Geometry, Trigonometry, Astronomy, 
Dialling, ("hronometry. Geography, Optics, Catoptrics, Dioptrics 
and Statics. It was printed in London, England, in 1729. There 
were in these early public schools no female teachers, young 
women scarcely considering it respectable to teach school, or at 
least they avoided, the profession, in part possibly because of 
the difficulty of governing the boys in those earlier days. Tlie 
teachers were then paid by the parents and guardians of the pupils, 
the schools being conducted upon the subscription plan. 

The earliest schools of tliis kind were established by the 
Friends. In lT5o they purchased an acre of ground in Willistown 
for school purposes, and there was a school set up by the Bradford, 
New Garden and Kennett Monthly Meetings, jointly, sometime 
before 1781. There was also a joint school established about the, 
same time by Goshen, Bradford and Birmingham meetings, these 
meetings purchasing four acres of ground one-half mile west of 
West Chester, where the walls still stood until recently, to mark 
the spot where the school-house was erected more than one hun- 
dred years ago. There was also a house for a public school of this 
kind erected on the northwest corner of the property belonging 
to the Branilywine Manor Presbyterian church, which Avas 28x18 
feet in size, liad two doors in front, which faced the south, and 
was divided by a swinging jjartition. One division of the room 
was used for the common school and the other for the classical 
school. It stood within three liundred yards of where three town- 
ships joined, these three townships constituting the eighth elec- 
tion district, and elections Avere held therein from 1798 to 1811. 
This Avas the first stone school-house built in that part of Chester 
County, most school-houses being built of logs. 

While the history of the efforts of the State to establish com- 
mon schools supported out of the State Treasury is exceedingly 
interesting, yet it cannot be traced in this Avork, except vei'v 



AXD n\S PEOPLE. 403 

briefly, and, in fact, can be scarcel.y more than referred to for want 
of propriety and space. The constitution of 1790 contains the fol- 
lowing section: 

"The Legishiture sliall, as soon as conveniently may be, pro- 
vide by law for the establishment of schools thronghout the State, 
in such a manner that the poor may be taught gratis.'' 

This section was incorporated into the constitution of 1838, 
and is the basis of the common school system of the State. The 
first law imder this provisicm of the constitution was enacted 
in 1802, but it was soon found inadequate to the requirements 
of a system of public education, and another act was passed in 
1804. This act was but little better than the former, and in ISO!) 
another act was passed, which Avas more carefully drawn, and 
found to work out better results. This act required "the assessors 
in each and every township, ward and district to receive from 
the parents the names of all children between the ages of five 
and twelve years, who reside therein, and whose parents are un- 
able to pay for their schooling." These names were to be jjlaced 
on the township transcripts, and the lists, after revision, were 
returned to the assessors, whose duty it was to notify the pareuts 
of the children to what schools they should be sent. 

The townships which are here named reported jjoor children 
in 1810: Brandy wine, 3; East Bradford, 15; West Bradford, 2; 
London Britain, 4; East Cain, (i; Charlestown, 39; Coventry, .">; 
Londonderry, 6; West Chester, 7; East Fallowfield, 8; Goshen, l.j; 
Londongrove, 3; New Garden, 5; Honeybrook, 12; Newlin, 5; East 
Marlborough, 10; East Nottingham, 3; Upper Oxford, 7; Lower 
Oxford, 21; Pennsbury, 1; Sadsbury, 3; Easttown, 4; Westtown, 
11; East Whiteland, (1; West Whiteland, 20. The following re- 
ported in 1811 as follows: Birmingham, 1; West Marlborough, 
3; Thornbury, 3; Tredyffrin, 10; Uwchlan, 3, and WillistOAvn, 2. In 
1812: West Cain, 3; New London, 18; East Nantmeal, 12; West 
Nantmeal, 7, and West Nottingham, 2. In 1813: West Fallow- 



404 CHESTER COUNTY 

field reported 3 aud Kennett 8. In 1811 East and West Vincent 
reported 8, and in 1812, East and West Pikelaud reported 4. The 
total number thus reported in the county was 304. 

The law under which such reports as the abpve were required 
to be made was unpopular, as it compelled the parents to publicly 
record their poverty and to send their children to "pauper schools.'' 
Even public schools, to whidi all the children were permitted lo 
be sent, have thus been branded, while the people were prejudiced 
against them. And it is altogether likely this act of 1809, together 
with those enacted previous!}', tended to increase the prejudice 
against public education than otherwise. At any rate the struggle 
for and again.st such a system was maintained with vigor for 
many years, aud it was }iot until 1834 that an act was passed 
that had in it the elemeuts of success. It is not unreasonable to 
attribute a jjart of the opposition to a system of public education 
to the various religious denominations that were in those days 
sustaining schools in which children were being taught at the least 
possible expense. These semi-public schools were maintained in 
large part for the purpose of inculcating certain religious tenets 
i-n the minds of the young, and i* was clear to many of those who 
desired their children to be brought up Friends, or Presbyterians, 
or Baptists, or Episcopalians, or Methodists, that in a public school, 
where children of parents of various denominations were collected 
together, that no one particular system of religion or faith could 
be taught to the exclusion of others; for this would be unjust 
to those who entertained the other system of belief, and it would 
be equally impracticable to teach all systems, for that would be 
to divert the entire school system from an educational force to a 
religious one, and would result in the greatest possible confusion 
even in this field of instruction. The only possible course, there- 
fore, with reference to religious instruction, would be to exclude 
everything of a sectarian or denominational nature, which would 
render the schools non-religious, to say the least, aud it miglit 
render them even irreligious. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 405 

But as time passed on it became more and more evident to 
the most intelligent of the citizens that a public school system 
was a real necessity. Free schools were in the public mind, and 
they must be established. In 1833-34 therefore the State took 
more active measures than before to put such a system into opera- 
tion. At the commencement of the session of those years, on 
motion of Samuel Breck of Philadelphia a joint committee was 
appointed, which was charged with the duty of framing a general 
system of education for the commonwealth. Dr. Wilmer Worth- 
ingtou was the Ciiester County member of this committee from the 
lower house, and at the same time Elijah J. Pennypacker was 
a member of the Legislature from Chester County. The act framed 
by this joint committee was passed by the Legislature, and was 
entitled, "An Act to Establish a General System of Education 
by Common Schools." It was approved April 1, 1834, but it did 
not get into operation without long and bitter opposition. The 
details of this struggle cannot be here traced, but it may be stated 
further with reference to the opposition with which it met that 
different classes of the people fought it for widely different "rea- 
sons, and what is perhaps what is most remarkable is that those 
needed free schools the most fought it with the greatest bitterness. 

At that time there were 987 school districts in the State, and 
when the question of accepting the law was submitted to a vote, 
of these 987 districts 502 accepted it, 264 rejected it, 57 were not 
represented and 1G4 made no return. Chester County Avas then 
divided into forty-four districts, of which seventeen accepted the 
law and twentj'-seven rejected it. But the Governor of the State, 
George Wolf, was a firm and steadfast friend of the law, and did 
much in aid of its proper enforcement. 

During the succeeding session of the Legislature petitions 
went up from all over the State for the repeal of the law, and 
for its modification, as well as many remonstrances against its 
repeal or modification. Chester County was on both sides of this 



4o6 CHESTER COUNTY 

question, as might naturally be expected; but it was found by 
careful count that in the entire Commonwealth about 32,000 per- 
sons petitioned for repeal, and 2,084 for some modification of the 
law. It was also found and given out as a curious fact that "not 
more than five names in every hundred were written in English," 
and most of those signed to the petitions for repeal were very 
illegibly written. Chester County sent up forty petitions, contain- 
ing 2,261 names, asking for repeal, but the final result was that 
a bill was passed strengthening the act of 1834, anil from that 
time on there was never any doubt as to the attitude of Pennsyl- 
vania on the free school question. It was a great, even a mag- 
nificent, victory that was won for free schools, for the intelligence 
of the people at large, instead of for the education of classes, and 
it appears to be generally conceded that to no man is more credit 
due than to Thaddeus Stevens, then a member of the lower house 
of the Legislature, who theu for the first time gave an exhibition 
of his masterly strength. This is the opinion of Elijah J. Penny- 
packer, mentioned before as one of the members from Chester 
County, who was himself also a steadfast friend of free education 
in the State. The following paragraph pi'esents the number of 
children reported in each township in Chester County in 183.5, 
and the year in which each township adopted the free school law: 

East Cain, 68, 1830; Schuylkill, 43, 1836; West Bradford, 37, 
1837; East Fallowfield, 68, 1837; West Cain, 71, 1837; West Nant- 
meal, 51, 1837; in 1838, AVest Chester 115, Honeybrook 80, East 
Marlborough 50, East Whiteland 30, West Marlborough 59, Willis- 
town 49, West Nottingham 31, West Fallowfield 76, West ^'lu- 
cent 22; in 1839, Goshen 101, Londongrove 21, NeM^ Garden 87, 
East Nottingham 108, Uwchlan 45, East Nantmeal 126; in 1840, 
London Britain 22, Coventry 92, Thornbury 9, Tredyffrin 87, East 
Vincent 36; in 1841, Brandywine 111, Charlestown 48, Londonderry 
26, Newlin 37,- Upper Oxford 74, Lower Oxford 51, Pennsbury 51, 
Sadsbury 110, A^'est Whiteland io, Birmingham 16, New London 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 409 

84, Kennett 45, Penu 45, East Pikeland and West Pikeland 45; 
in 1843, East Bradford 79, Westtown 31, Easttown 48. 

From the time of its snccessful (establishment on through the 
years public sentiment steadily and even rapidly grew and 
strengthened in its favor; and it was further seen, or at least 
thought, that the State could afford to aid higher institutions 
of learning. In this movement Chester County was not behind 
other counties in the State. Her representative, William H. Dil- 
lingham, introduced a bill in the house, as did also Thaddeus 
Stevens of Adams County, making a liberal appropriation for 
ten years to incorporate colleges and academies, that is, such as 
were able to comply with certain easy conditions. 

Chester County was the birthplace of Townsend Haines, who 
was secretai'y of the Commonwealth, and Superintendent of Com- 
mon Schools during the latter portion of the term of Governor 
Johnston. As Superintendent of Common Schools Mr. Haines 
made two reports, in which he objected to the short terms of the 
district schools, then less than five months in the year; and to the 
low salaries paid teachers, male teachers receiving then on the aver- 
age $17.27 per month, and females .flO.25 per month. He sug- 
gested for the e^'ils then existing an iuci'eased school tax, and to 
cure tlie apathy of the people he suggested periodical conven- 
tions of teachers in the several counties. In his second report 
he complained among other things of the incapacity of the teach- 
ers, and of the improper selection of school books, of the want of 
funds, and of the absence of some direct and intelligible com- 
munication between the school directors and the State Superiu- 
.tendent of Schools. To remedy these defects he suggested the 
establishment of the county superintendency of schools, and the 
normal school connected with central high schools. 

But, notwithstanding all the work that had been done up to 
1848, and the widespread public sentiment that had by that time 
gro-nn up in favor of the system, yet there were still in Chester 
24 



4IO CHESTER COUNTY 

County a few districts that had not accepted it. These disti'icts 
■wei"e East Bradford, North Coventry, Kennett, Westtown and 
West Vincent. In this year, a provision of the law making ap- 
propriations, repealed all laws concerning non-accepting school 
districts, and made the common school law applicable to every 
school district in the State. Afterward one by one of the nearly 
two hundred non-accepting school districts put-schools into opera- 
tion within their limits, and by 1868 there were only twenty-three 
districts in the State, with about 6,000 school children, that had no 
common schools in operation. 

The law of 1849, while it marked no new departure with refer- 
ence to educational affairs, was yet a step in advance, as it pro- 
hibited teachers from teaching without a certificate enumerating 
the branches they had been found capable of teaching, the cer- 
tificate to be signed by a majority of the board of directors con- 
ducting the examination; and it increased the minimum length of 
time during which schools should be kept open from three to four 
months. It also fixed the school age as being from five years to 
twenty-one. This bill was introduced into the House by Henry S. 
Evans of Chester County. 

"In 1855 an act of Assembly was passed establishing a teach- 
ers' institute in Chester County, requiring one to be held each year 
at the county seat, and appropriating from the coimty treasury 
annually two liundred dollars for that purpose. This was a step 
in advance of any other county, and has rendei'ed the institutes 
more efficient than they otherwise would have been." * 

From the beginning of the public school system the Secretary 
of State was the Superintendent of Common Schools for the State 
up to 1857, on the ISth of April of which year an act was approved 
which provided for the separation of the two offices, and for the 
appointment of a Superintendent of Common Schools, Avho should 
hold his office for three years. 



' Futhey and Cope's History of Chester County. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 411 

Previously to this time it became apparent tliat more efficient 
county superintendency was required, if the people were to re- 
ceive the full benefits of the system in the thorough education of 
the young, and as a consequence an act was approved May 8, 1851, 
"For the regulation and continuance of a System of Education by 
Common Schools," Section 37 of wliich is as follows: 

"Section 37. That there shall be chosen in the manner here- 
after directed an officer for each count}', to be called the County 
Superintendent, It shall be his duty to visit as often as practica- 
ble the several schools of the county, and to note the course and 
method of instruction and branches taught, and to give such di- 
rections in the art of teaching and the method thereof in each 
school as to him, together with the directors or controllers, shall 
be deemed expedient and necessary; so that each school shall be 
equal to the grade for which it was established, and that there 
may be, as far as practicable, uniformity in the course of study of 
the several grades respectively.'' 

Section 38 provided tliat it should be the duty of each county 
superintendent to see that in every district there were taught 
orthography, reading, writing, English grammar, geography and 
arithmetic, "as well as such other branches as the board of di- 
rectors or controllers may require." 

Section 39 provided that the school directors of each county 
should meet in convention at the seat of justice of their respective 
counties on the first Monday (5th) of June, 1851, and on the first 
of May (in 186G changed to the first Tuesday of May), in each third 
year thereafter, and select viva voce, by a majority vote of those 
present, one person of literary and scientific acquirements and 
of skill and experience in the art of teaching as County Superin- 
tendent for three successive school years. The school directors 
by a majority vote in such convention were also authorized to fix 
the salary of the superintendent. 

Section 11 made it the duty of the County Superintendent to 



412 CHESTER COUNTY 

examine all the candidates for tlie profession of teaching, in the 
presence of the board of directors, should they desire to be present, 
and to give each person found qualified a certificate setting forth 
the branches said candidate was found capable of teaching. 

Under this law the following gentlemen have been County 
Superintendents of Schools in Chester County: E. Agnew Futhey, 
1854 to 1857; Dr. Franklin Taylor, 1857 to 1860; W. W. Woodruff, 
1860 to 1869; George L. Maris, 1869 to 1872; Hiram F. Pierce, 1872 
to January, 1877, when he died; Jacob W. Harvey, appointed 
February 1, 1877, and served until 1887; Joseph S. Walton, 1887 to 
September, 1896, Avhen he resigned and F. P. Bye was appointed 
and has served ever since. 

As in the case of the C-ommon School System itself, when it 
was first proposed, it was strongly j)pposed, so in case of the 
county superintendency, it likewise met with lively opposition. It 
would appear that in the economy of human nature, all innova- 
tions have to demonstrate their fitness before they become ac- 
ceptable to mankind. Those who opposed the county superin- 
tendency were divisible into two classes — First, those who con- 
sidered themselves fully competent to examine the teachers, and 
who were jealous of the new officer; and second, those who thought 
the office useless and that the salaiw of the new official should be 
added to the school fund. 

Through the judicious conduct of the first County Superin- 
intendent the opposition gradually subsided. He gradually sur- 
mounted all the difficulties that he encountered, held the first 
county institutes and left the ground comparatively clear for Dr. 
Taylor, his immediate successor. Mr. Futhey held seven teachers' 
institutes, each lasting a week. There were then in the county 
sixty-two school districts, and 292 schools. 

So far as the County Supei'intendents are concerned it would 
appear that Dr. Taylor held the first special Normal School in the 
county, opening it on Monday, May 3, 1858, in connection with 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 413 

F. A. Allen and Dr. E. Harvey, in the borough of West Chester. 
This normal school lasted twenty weeks, and there were forty-six 
teachers in attendance. 

In 1860 there were still twenty-four private schools in exist- 
ence, attended by 1,250 students. Phoenixville that year com- 
pleted two very superior school buildings, capable of accommodat- 
ing 800 pupils. In 1861 two graded schools were established, one 
at West Chester, the other at Phoenixville. In 1862 there were in 
the county 172 male teachers, the number in 1859 having been 174; 
and in 1862 there were 223 female teachers, the number in 1859 
having been 175. In 1863 two school-houses in the county were 
heated from below, the stoves being placed in the cellar and sur- 
rounded by non-conducting substances. During this year there 
were engaged only 152 male teachers, on account of so many of 
them having gone off to the war, and there were 243 female teach- 
ers. In the year 1868, besides the two graded schools mentioned 
above, there were such schools in Coatesville, Downingtown, Ken- 
nett Square, and Oxford, and there were schools partially graded 
in Marshallton, Sugartown, Unionville and Waynesburg. In Oc- 
tober, 1867, the most useful institute so far held was held in the 
county. 

During the nine years of Professor Woodruff's incumbency of 
the office of County Superintendent tliere were erected 100 new 
school buildings, at a cost of about |150,000; during that period 
the number of schools increased from 304 to 335; the pupils in- 
creased from 16,032 to 17,628; tJie length of the school year in- 
creased from 7.41 months to 8 months, and the average salary of 
the male teachers increased from |26.22 to |36.50 per month, while 
that of tbe female teachers increased from |22.09 to $33.04 per 
month. The highest salary paid any teacher in the county in 1800 
was $80 per month, while in 1869 the highest salary paid any male 
teacher was fill. 11. The highest salary paid any female teacher 
in 1800 Avas |30 per month, while in 1809 it had increased to |110. 



414 CHESTER COUNTY 

During the school year 1869-70 there were erected eleven new 
school-houses in the county, the finest one of the eleven being at 
Kennett Square. This was a two-story structure, with four large 
assembly rooms and the same number of convenient class-rooms. 
The yard contained two and a half acres of gently-sloping land, and 
according to Mr. Maris, then superintendent, the building was 
better suited to its purposes tliau any other in the county. The 
entire property was Avorth |10,000. Of the eleven erected that 
year the one at Waynesburg came next, woi'th |5,100. 

The high school at West Chester in June, 1869, graduated a 
class of seven members, the course of study embracing Latin, 
German, French, algebra, geometi'y, botany, physiology, and nat- 
iiral philosophy. This event marked a new era in the educational 
history of Chester County. Phojuixville, Coatesville and Oxford 
had adopted similar coui'ses of study. A teachers' institute was 
held in West Chester in October, 1869, at which there were pres- 
ent 492 teachers, and there were present as instructors, amoug 
other distinguished men, Theodore Tilton, Wayne MacVeagh, and 
Dr. Isaac I. Hayes. 

The schools of Honeybrooli, West Nantmeal and Sadsbury 
were graded during the year ending June 5, 1871. The annual 
institute for that year was held in October, 1870, and among tlie 
distinguished instructors and lecturers present were Hon. E. E. 
White of Oliio, Prof. Lewis B. Monroe and Prof. E. D. Cope. There 
Avere numerous local institutes held, at which among other dis- 
tinguished men were present Prof. James McCosh, Bayard Taylor, 
M, Brosius, W. W. Woodruff and T. Clarkson Taylor. 

During the winter of 1873-74 there was opened a night school 
for the factory children of Boudsville, Fisherville and the vicinity, 
in the Chestnut Dell school, of Cain District, ladies and gentlemen 
of the neighborhood volunteering their services as teachers. 

About 1883 the question of teaching temperance in the public 
schools began to attract attention, and has since then been con- 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 41 S 

tinned. There were then 380 pnblic schools in the county, and 
forty-eight private schools having an attendance of 1,900 students. 
During the year 1887-88 originated the formation of directors' as- 
sociations, and the attemi)t was made to form a teachers' organiza- 
tion by dividing the county into thirteen districts, and the thor- 
ough introduction of a graded course of study in the rural schools. 
The school directors effected a permanent organization, which Avas 
to meet semi-annually, the first chairman being William W. Parker, 
and the first secretary being Edwin J. Durnall. It had an execu- 
tive committee of nine, the principal of the Normal School and the 
county superintendent being members ex-officio. By 1889 seven 
of the rural districts had adopted the graded course of study. The 
Berwyn School-house, built this year, was considered the model 
school-house of the county. By 1890 fifty-two of the sixty-eight 
school districts in the county furnished the text books free of 
cost, and all but three or four of the remainder furnished them at 
not more than one-half or two-thirds cost. By 1891 manual train- 
ing had been introduced into eleven of the schools, mostly in the 
counti'y districts. 

By 1893 Tredyft'rin had established a township grammar 
school, and had given the local supervision of the schools in the 
township to the principal, Kichard S. Macnamee, who holds the 
position at the present time. Easttown has done the same thing, 
and at the present time J. Alexander Clarke of Berwyn is the dis- 
trict superintendent. The West Chester Public Schools are in 
charge of a superintendent, at present Addison Jones, and the 
Ph(]enixville Public Schools are managed in the same manner by 
H. F. Leister. The rest of tlie borough schools in the county ava 
conducted by supervising principals. 

The graded school system during the past tAventy years has 
been slowly but steadily gaining ground, and at the present time 
the demand for systematizing the work is stronger than ever be- 
fore. A general outline ijrepared under the direction of the 



4i6 CHESTER COUNTY 

County Directors' Association is used over the greater part, of the 
county. Eacli townsliip makes such modifications in the general 
plan as are necessary' to adapt it to its special needs. Graduates 
in the elementary course are given diplomas which are uniform 
tlirougliout the county, the examinations sent out from the office 
of the County Superintendent having been satisfactorily passed. 
A feature of the woi'k lately introduced which is giving general 
satisfaction is the requirement of some specific work in English. 
Besides -a general knowledge of American and English literature 
each candidate is required to be familiar with certain English 
classics announced at the beginning of the year. 

The Chester County Teachers' Association is a purely repre- 
sentative body, its work being to direct the operations of the dis- 
trict association throughout the county. Of these there are thir- 
teen, each of which reports annually to the general association. 
This organization has in it great possibilities, wliich are being de- 
veloped and appreciated more and more as time goes on. 

The Chester County School Directors' Association was organ- 
ized in February, 1888, Isaac A. Cleaver of Berwyn being the first 
president and Edwin J. Durnall the first secretary. This is an 
exceedingly strong organization, and is a powerful instrument in 
the worlc of unifying and advancing the schools of the county. It 
is one of the most efficient associations in the State, and has re- 
ceived special mention by the State Superintendent of Common 
Schools. The two meetings held each year are well attended, all 
parts of the county being represented. The efficiency of the pres- 
ent officers. President Isaac Richards of New Garden and Secre- 
tary John L. Balderston of Kennett Township, is sufficiently at- 
tested by the fact that they are now serving a third term. 

Several years ago a few of the principals of the county held a 
meeting to discuss methods of school supei-vision, as it had been 
felt for years that the local and county institutes did not reach 
the duties of the principal. It was thought, too, that all would 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 4U 

be benefited by an interchange of views regarding tlie courses of 
study, methods of teaching, means of supervision and discipline. 
As a I'esult of the meeting mentioned there is now the organization 
known as the Principals' Association of Chester County, which 
meets at stated intervals during the year, at which subjects of 
interest are discussed. Someone is appointed to open the discus- 
sion with a short paper, and the members make reports or ask 
questions as they see fit. A prominent feature of all the meetings 
is the absence of set speeches, while the topics placed before the 
association are such as to prompt nearly all the members to take 
part in the discussion. All the principals of the county are eligible 
to membership. 

The Chester County Teachers' Association, at its annual meet- 
ing during the Institute week in the autumn of 1896, organized the 
Teachers' Professional Society for the improvement of its mem- 
bers, and through their improvement the improvement of the 
county schools. Although many of the teachers of tie county take 
Saturday work at schools in West Chester and Philadelphia, and 
under tutors, yet there are many to whom these means of self- 
improvement are not available, and to those who cannot reach the 
professional school the school has been taken. A committee of 
leading local educators conducts a correspondence course in pro- 
fessional study, in which the tuition fee is but twenty-five cents 
per year, and each teacher taking the course invests in two 
or three good books bearing on the work of the course taken. Dur- 
ing the school year 1898-99 the County Institute and the Profes- 
sional Society will be merged along the same lines of work, thus 
turning the entire coi-ps of teachers in the county, four huudi-ed 
and fifty in number, into a great professional society. In other 
words the themes of the Institute lectures will follow lines laid 
down by the society, and the. society, on the other hand, will am- 
plify and re-enforce the work of the County Institute. Four 
courses will be open to the teachers from which they may select 



41 8 CHESTER COUNTY 

their professional line of work. Subjects for themes will be an- 
nounced by the instructors who will examine the papers prepared 
by the teachers. The preparation of these themes will form a 
part of the work of the society. At the end of each year the so- 
ciety faculty issues a certificate setting forth the work done by 
the holder thereof. 

The Circulating Library is the result of an agitation carried 
on of late years within the county, but there was no general move- 
ment looking toward a solution of the problem until the summer 
of 1897. A plan was evolved by the present County Superin- 
tendent, Frank P. Bye, which combines a maximum of circulation 
with a minimum of cost. At a meeting in the office of the super- 
intendent in West Chester, representatives from nearly all parts 
of the county being present, an organization was effected under 
the name of the Public School Circulating Libraiy of Chester 
County and Superintendent Bye's plan adopted. The fundamental 
principle on which it is based is that of co-operation in the pur- 
chase or use of books. David C. Windle of West Chester was 
made president; Watson W. Dewees of Westtown, treasurer, and 
Superintendent Frank P. Bye, secretary and librarian. The head- 
quarters are in the Supei'intendenfs oflice in the court-house, 
where books may be obtained or exchanged at any time. The 
reading itself is to a considerable extent directed from this office. 
This library system has met with general approval and has been 
endorsed unanimously by the Directors' Association. 

From the annual report of the County Superintendent of 
Schools for 1897, the following statistics are obtained: Whole 
number of schools, 436; average number of months taught, 8.59; 
number of male teachers, 63; number of female teachers, 396; 
average salary of male teachers, |54.48; average salary of female 
teachers, |39.42; number of male scholars, 9,191; number of female 
scholars, 8,767; average number attending school, 12,549; average 
per cent, of attendance, 86; cost per month of educating each 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 419 

pupil, 11.37; total amount of taxes levied for school and building 
purposes, $181,736.25; receipts fi-om State appropriation, |S9,- 
977.77; receipts from taxes and all other sources aside from State 
appropriation, |250,507.90; total receipts, $340,185.67; teachers' 
salaries, |169,339.58; total expenses, |320,337.84. 

In 1895 what is known as the "Massachusetts Sj'stem" of con- 
solidating country schools and transportating pupils to a central 
school at public expense, was introduced into Tredvffrin Town- 
ship. 

The system has for its purpose the closing and abandoning of 
one-teacher-country schools, and supplying in theii place large, 
well-equipped buildings, in which thoroughly graded and classified 
consolidated schools may be established, to the end that rural edu- 
cation may be broadened, the usefulness of country schools greatly 
increased, and many of the educational advantages now enjoyed 
almost exclusively by towns and cities may be extended to rural 
sections. 

This movement had its origin in the generally recognized fact 
that the demand upon ungraded country schools are increasing 
more rapidly than it is possible to meet them in the old way; that 
the small, ungraded school is an expensive one, and that there is 
not only economy in "centralization," but that it furnishes the 
only means by which sufficient numbers can be brought together 
in the country to make pi'oper grading and thorough classification 
of pupils possible. 

The circumstances leading to its adoption by Tredyffrin Town- 
ship were as follows: An increasing population in the neighbor- 
hood or vicinity of Devon led to the establishment of a new public 
school in a private dwelling; but in 1893 a new double school 
building was erected at Strafford on the site of the old Eagle 
school, which had then recently been destroyed by fire. The 
Devon school and the old Eagle school were then consolidated in 
this new double building, and the school was henceforth called 



420 CHESTER COUNTY 

"Strafford School." But on account of the distance of this school 
from Devon, and of the fact that there was a suiiicient number of 
children in that vicinity to support a school, the school board was 
asked, two years later, to re-establish a school at or near Devon. 

The friends of consolidation advocated the enlarging of the 
Strafford school building instead, and tlie establishment of the 
free ti'ansportation of the Devon pupils, in order that bj- the em- 
ployment of another teacher and the establishment of another 
division in the Strafford school, the advantages to be derived there- 
from might be enjoyed by both sections. The directors, fully im- 
pressed with the merits of the latter plan, adopted it, and during 
the first week in September, 1895, the transportation of the pupils 
from the Devon distTict was begun. It is worthy of note that 
while the entire school board was suflficiently imbued with the 
spirit of progi'ess to favor this important step in the educational 
affairs of that townsliip, yet it was due largely to the intelligent 
advocacy of the plan by the secretary of the board, S. C. Weadley, 
that sufficient sentiment was molded to carry the system into suc- 
cessful operation. 

Three years' experience with the system in that township has 
confirmed the wisdom of those directors in its adoption ; for it has 
not only proved itself to be practicable, and shown that in point 
of economy, grading, classification and teaching facilities it pos- 
sesses the merits claimed for it by its friends, but it indicates the 
way to a satisfactory solution of the great problem of improved 
rural school facilities, which problem is forcing itself more and 
more persistently, year by year, upon the minds of those who have 
the interests and welfare of the country school districts at heart, 
and upon whom the responsibility of their continued and increas- 
ing usefulness rests.* 



*This article of Transportation was prepared for this work by Professor R. S. 
Macnamee, of Straflford. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 421 

Miss Susan Gorjras, born in Wilmington, Delaware, April 23, 
1845, is a member of a family long noted for their philanthropic 
and charitable deeds. Her father, John Gorgas, was born May 
11, 1804, and her mother, Ann (Wills) Gorgas, December 17, 1807, 
The latter died August G, 1818, and the former, July 30, 18G0. 
Both lie buried in Brandywine Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware. 
Samuel Gorgas, grandfather of Miss Susan Gorgas, died October 
2, 1857, and her grandmother, Susanna Gorgas, died April 18, 
1845. iler uncle, Samuel Gorgas, Jr., died April 3, 18G8, at the age 
of fifty-seven years, and her aunt, Margaret Gorgas, died July 30, 
1884, in her seventy-seventh year. Her uncle, Matthias Gorgas, 
died January 3, 1885, and her aunt, Susan Gorgas, died March 29, 
1892. 

Mr. John Gorgas removed from Wilmington to West Chester 
in 18G4. His daughter, Susan, attended the school of Miss W. 
Anna Hoopes, at 1409 Locust street, Philadelphia, and remained 
there six years, returning to West Chester in 18G4. In 1874-75 
she made a tour of Euroj)e, visiting the British Isles, France, 
Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Miss Gorgas has lived mostly 
with her aunt. Miss Sarah W. Wills, at No. 100 South High street, 
West Chester, Miss Wills being eighty-one years old July 4, 1898. 

It is not an uncommon thing to find generous and large- 
hearted women, who, blessed. with abundant means, take delight 
in helping those who are needy. Miss Gorgas lives an unostenta- 
tious and quiet life, devoting herself to the service of others. The 
ancient home at Koxborough has been occupied by four genera- 
tions of her family, and is still owned by her. It is a beautiful 
and romantic spot, full of Kevolutionary memories, fragrant with 
Philadelphia and Germaoitown associations. In this home Miss 
Gorgas spends a portion of every summer, where the Wissahickou 
waters her fruitful lands. The stone house in which her maternal 
great-grandfather, Andrew Wood, once lived still stands in Box- 



422 CHESTER COUNTT 

borough, and the barn attached thereto was occupied by the 
British soldiers during tlieir sojourn in Philadelphia. 

Samuel and Margaret Gorgas (brother and sister), uncle and 
aunt of Miss Susan Gorgas, gave an endowment fund of $160,000 
to the Roxborough Home for Indigent Women, and which was 
erected in 1887. To the erection of this building Miss Gorgas 
gave 115,000, aud has always taken a deep interest in its success. 
Seventeen women, mostly residents of the neighborhood, find 
therein a comfortable and secure retreat in their declining years. 
The Home occupies a beautiful site upon Levering Avenue, over- 
looking the waters of the Wissahickon. Miss Gorgas is the presi- 
dent of the Board of Managers. 

Miss Gorgas also takes a warm interest in the work of Lin- 
coln University, and secured the erection of Livingston Hall. In 
this hall commencements are held, and it has been a most useful 
adjunct to the school. The Home for Incurables, aud the Epis- 
copal Hospital, in the city of Philadelphia, have each a bed en- 
dowed by Miss Gorgas. 

Gorgas Park on Kidge Avenue, Eoxborough, containing about 
five acre.s of ground, was presented by her in 1893 to the City of 
Philadelphia. This park has since been enlarged by the addition 
thereto of adjoining properties. Miss Gorgas is a member of Holy 
Trinity Episcopal Church, West Chester, and has ever been a 
generous patron of its charities and has contributed largely to 
its building fund. 



CHAPTER XI. 

POLITICS. 




CHARLTON LEWIS. 



Ai\D IT 8 PEOPLE. ' 427 



CHAPTER XI. 

POLITICS — GOVERNMENT UNDER PENN — THE COLONIAL ASSElir.LV — THE SEVERAL 

CONSTITUTIONS — MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY — THE EARLV CONGRESSES 

REPRESENTATION OF CHESTER COUNTY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS — 

JOHN MORTON — SENATORS PROMINENT POLITICIANS OF 

THE COUNTY ELECTORS POLITICAL CHANGES 

CONVENTIONS — MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL 
COUNTY OFFICERS — RECENT CON- 
VENTIONS POPULATION OF 

THE COUNTY. 

THE form of government prepared by William Peun for the 
government of his Province was somewhat unique, especially as 
compared with the forms of government now in existence in the 
several States and in the United States itself. Under Penn's 
form of government there was to be but one legislative body, 
which was called the Assembly, and the executive branch con- 
sisted of a Governor and a Council. The Assembly was to consist 
of not less than 200 nor more than 500 persons. The first Assem- 
bly elected under writs issued by William Penu to the sheriffs of 
the several counties convened at Chester, December 4, 1682, and 
this is the only meeting of the Assembly within the ancient limits 
of Chester County. 

The second Assembly, which convened at Philadelphia, March 
12, 1683, consisted of nine members from each county, in the writ 
calling for the election of members of this Assembly, Penn having 
directed the election of twelve members of the Council. Each 
county, however, sent twelve persons, requesting that nine of them 
might serve in the Assembly and three in the Council. During the 
25 



428 CHESTER COiXTY 

session of this second Assembly a new frame of govevument was 
prepared, according to whicli the Assembly was to consist of not 
less than thirty-six persons, six from each connty, nor more than 
two hnndred, and that it shonld meet annually on May 10. 

From this time to 1703 the number of members from Chester 
County in the Assembly varied from three to six, and from 1703 to 
1776 the number was usually eight. Under the constitution 
adopted in 1776 the number of members from each county for the 
years 1776, 1777 and 1778 was six, and afterward according to the 
population, to be determined by the Assembly itself. In 1779 the 
number was increased to eight, so remaining until 1786, when it 
was again reduced to six, and in 1789, on the creation of Delaware 
County, Chester County had four members, while Delaware County 
had two. 

A new constitution was adopted in 1790, which provided that 
within three years after the first meeting of the General Assembly 
there should be an enumeration of the taxable inhabitants of each 
county, and that the members of the two houses created by that 
constitution should be apportioned according to the number of 
taxables. This enumeration and apportionment were to be made 
every seven years thereafter, the number of members from each 
county to remain the same until the first enumeration and appor- 
tionment were made. Chester County therefore had four members 
in the Assembly until 1895, and under the first apportionment she 
had five. In 1822 the number was reduced to four; in 1813 it was 
reduced to three, and in 1S71 to two. In 1S74 the number again 
became four. 

The members from Chester County in the Assembly, so far as 
can be ascertained, have been as follows from 1682 to tl\e present 
time: 
1682. — John Simcock, Thomas Brassey, Ralph Withers, Thomas 

Usher. 
1683. — John Hastings, Robert Wade, George Wood, JohBJ Bluns- 



AXD JTS PEOPLE. 429 

ton, Dennis Eochford, Thomas Brassey, John Bezer, John 

Harding, Joseph Phipps. 
1684. — Joshua Hastings, Robert Wade, John Blunston, George 

Maris, Thomas Usher, Henry Maddock. 
1685. — John Blunston, George Maris, John Harding, Thomas 

Usher, Francis Stanfield, Josiah Fearn. 
1686. — Eobert Wade, John Blunston, George Maris, Bartholomew 

Coppook, Samuel Lewis, Caleb Pusey. 
1687. — John Blunston, George Maris, Bartholomew Coppock, Caleb 

Pusey, Edward Bezer, Randall Vernon. 
1688. — John Blunston, James Sandelands, George Maris, Robert 

Pyle, Edward Carter, Thomas Coeburn. 
1689. — James Sandelands, Samuel Levis, John Bartram, Robert 

Pyle, Michael Blunston, Jonathan Hayes. 

I' 

1690. — John Bristow, William Jenkin, Robert Pyle, Joshua Fearn, 

George Maris, Caleb Pusey. 
1692. — Philip Roman, George Maris, Bartholomew Coppock, 

Robert Pyle, Caleb Pusey, Thomas Withers. 
1693. — John Simcock, George Maris, David Lloyd. 
1694. — David Lloyd, Caleb Pusey, Samuel Levis. 
1695. — John Blunston, Bartholomew Coppock, William Jenkin, 

Robert Pyle, Walter Forest, Philip Roman. 
1696. — John Simcock (Speaker), .John Blunston, Caleb Pusey. 
1697. — John Blunston (Speaker), Bartholomew Coppock, Thomas 

Worth, Jonathan Hayes. 
1698. — Caleb Pusey, Samuel Levis, Nathaniel Newlin, Robert 

Carter. 
1699.— John Blunston (Speaker), Robert Pyle, John Worrilow, 

Robert Carter. 
1700.— John Blunston (Speaker), Robert Pyle, Richard Ormes, 

John Hood, Samuel Levis, Henry Lewis. 
1700.— Elected October 14: Joseph Baker, Samuel Levis, Na- 
thaniel Newlin, Nicholas Pyle. 



430 CHESTER COUNTY 

1701.— John Blunston, Kobert Pyle, Nathaniel Newlin, Audrew 

Job. 
1703. — Nicholas Pyle, John Bennett, Andrew Job, David Lewis, 

Nathaniel Newlin, Joseph Baker, Robert Carter, Robert 

Wood. 
1704. — Nicholas Pyle, John Bennett, Nicholas Fairiarab, Joseph 

Coebourn, John Hood, Richard Hayes, Joseph Wood, Isaac 

Taylor. 
1705. — Robert Pyle, Richard Webb, Caleb Pusey, Nicholas Fair- 
lamb, John Bennett, Isaac Taylor, Nathaniel Newlin, 

Joseph Coebourn. 
1706.— Samuel Levis, Richard Hayes, Francis Chadds, Joseph 

Baker, Evan Lewis, John Hood, George Pearce, William 

Garrett. 
1707. — Francis Chadds, William Smith, Samuel Levis, Richard 

Hayes, John Hood, William. Garrett, John Bethell, Evan 

Lewis. 
1708. — Daniel Williamson, Samuel Levis, Henry Lewis, Richard 

Hayes, John Hood, Thomas Pearson, William Bartram, 

Daniel Hoopes. 
1709. — Samuel Levis, John Maris, John Hood, Henry Lewis, Daniel 

Williamson, Daniel Hoopes, Richard Hayes, William 

Smith. 
1710. — Nicholas Pyle, Joseph Pyle, Willijvm Lewis, John Wood, 

Nathaniel Newlin, Ephraim Jackson, Caleb Pusey, Isaac 

Taylor. 
1711. — Francis Yarnall, John Bezer, Caleb Pusey, Nicholas Pyle, 

Nathaniel Newlin, Joseph Baker, Nicholas Fairlamb, 

David Llewelin. 
1712. — Caleb Pusey, David Lloyd, William Davis, Nicholas Fair- 
lamb, John Wood, George Harlan, Isaac Taylor, John 

Maris. 
1713. — David Lloyd, William Davis, Joseph Baker, Nathaniel New- 



AXD /7'»S' PEOPLE. 431 

lin, Nicholas Fairlamb, Richard Hayes, William Brinton, 
John Blunston, Jr. 

1714. — David Lloyd (Speaker), Nathaniel Newlin, Nicholas Pyle, 
Evan Lewis, John Miller (died and was succeeded by 
Gayen Miller), Benjamin Meudeuhall, Samuel Garrett, 
Richard Maris. 

1715. — David Lloyd, Samuel Garrett, Henry Lewis, Henry Hayes, 
William Pyle, Edward Bezer, Philip Taylor, David Lewis. 

1716. — David Lloyd, John Blunston, Jr., Henry Hayes, Joseph Pen- 
nock, David Harry, John Maris, John Worrall, Henry 
Oborn. 

1717. — David Lloyd, Nathaniel Newlin, Richard Hayes, Samuel 
Garrett, James Gibbons, John Wood, George Maris, 
Henry Miller. 

1718. — David Lloyd, Richard Hayes, Nathaniel Newlin, John 
Wright, James Gibbons, Henry Lewis, William Lewis, 
Henry Oborn. 

1719. — Isaac Taylor, Joseph Pennock, Moses Key, John Bezer, Na- 
thaniel Newlin, John Maris, James Gibbons, Evan Lewis. 

1720. — Joseph Pennock, Samuel Levis, Jr., Isaac Taylor, Israel 
Taylor, John Maris, Ralph Pyle, Daniel Williamson, 
David Lewis. 

1721. — Samuel Levis, Jr., William Pyle, Daniel Williamson, Isaac 
Taylor, David Lewis, Henry Oborn, Nathaniel Newlin, 
Israel Taylor. 

1722. — Samuel Levis, Jr., Joseph Pennock, David Lewis, William 
Pyle, Daniel Williamson, Israel Taylor, Nathaniel New- 
lin, Isaac Taylor. 

1723. — Thomas Chandler, Samuel Levis, Jr., Samuel Nutt, John 
Crosby, Moses Key, William Webb, Joseph Pennock, 
David Lloyd. 

1724. — Moses Key, Joseph Pennock, William Webb, AVilliam Pyle, 



432 CHESTER COUNTY 

Thomas Chandler, Elisha Gatchell, John Parry, John 
Crosby. 
1725. — David Lloyd (Speaker), Thomas Chandler, William Webb, 
John Wright, Samuel HoUingsworth, William Pusey, 
George Ashton, William Paschall. 
1726. — David Lloyd (Speaker), Samuel Nutt, Samuel HoUings- 
worth, John Wright, Richard Hayes, Joseph Pennoek, 
Thomas Chandler, William Pusey. 
1727. — John Parry, Samuel HoUingsworth, Da^id Lloyd. Thomas 
Chandler, John Carter, Daniel Williamson (died and was 
succeeded by Philip Taylor), Simon Meredith, William 
Webb. 
1728. — David Lloyd (Speaker), Thomas Chandler, Samuel HoUings- 
worth, John Parry, William Webb, Philip Taylor, -John 
Carter, Henry Hayes. 
1729. — Caleb Cowpland, Richard Hayes, Joseph Brinton, Thomas 
Chandler, William AVebb, Samuel Gilpin, James James, 
Joseph Pennoek. 
1730. — Henry Pierce, John Taylor, Samuel Lewis, John Parry, 
Thomas Chandler, Samuel Gilpin, William Webb, Henry 
Hayes. 
1731. — Joseph Harvey, John Parry, Samuel Lewis, Caleb Cowp- 
land, John Taylor, Joseph Brinton, Henry Pierce, Evan 
Lewis. 
1732. — Caleb Cowpland, Joseph Harvey, Joseph Brinton, Thomas 
Thomas, William Webb, Joseph Pennoek, John Davis, 
William Hughes. 
1733. — Caleb Cowpland, Joseph Harvey, Joseph Brinton, John 
Davis, Thomas Thomas, Joseph Pennoek, John Owen, 
William Moore. 
1734. — Joseph Harvey, Joseph Brinton, Caleb Cowpland, John 
Evans, William Moore, William Webb, John Owen, 
Joseph Pennoek. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 433 

1735. — Joseph Harvey, William Moore, Joseph Penuock, Caleb 

Cowpland, John Evans, John Parry, Joseph Brinton, 

Thomas Cummings. 
1736. — Joseph Harvey, Thomas Cummings, John Evans, Caleb 

Cowpland, William Webb, William Moore, Thomas 

Chandler, .John Parry. 
1737. — Thomas Chandler, Jcsejih Harvey, John Evans, Thomas 

Cummings, William Moore, James Gibbons, William 

Hughes, Eichard Hayes. 
1738. — William Moore, James Gibbons, Thomas Chandler, Joseph 

Harvey, John Owen, Thomas Tatnall, William Hughes, 

Jeremiah Starr. 
1739. — James Gibbous, Thomas Chandler, Joseph Harvey, William 

Hughes, Jeremiah Starr, William Moore, Samuel Lewis, 

John Owen. 
1740. — Thomas Chandler, Joseph Harvey, James Gibbons, William 

Hughes, Samuel Levis, .John Owen, .Jeremiah Starr, 

Thomas Tatnall. 
1741. — Joseph Harvey, Thomas Chandler, .James Gibbous, .John 

Owen, Thomas Tatnall, Samuel Levis, William Hughes, 

Jeremiah Starr. 
1742. — James Gibbons, .Johu Owen, Samuel Levis, Jeremiah Starr, 

Thomas Chandler, Joseph Harvey, William Hughes, 

Thomas Tatnall. 
1743. — Jeremiah Starr, James Gibbons, Thomas Chandler, Joseph 

Harvey, Samuel Levis, Joseph Penuock, George Ash- 
bridge, Jr., Francis Yarnall. 
1744. — George Ashbridge, Francis Yarnall, Joseph Pennock, 

Samuel Levis, James Gibbons, Joseph Harvey, Thomas 

Cummings, Thomas Chandler. 
1745. — Joseph Pennock, Thomas Cummings, George Ashbridge, 

Francis Yarnall, Joseph Harvey, Samuel Levis, Kobert 

Lewis, Thomas Chandler. 



434 CHESTER COUNTY 

1746. — Francis Yarnall, George Ashbridge, Robert Lewis, Thomas 
Worth, Samuel Levis, Peter Dicks, Thomas Chandler, 
John Owen. 

1747. — Samuel Levis, Francis Yarnall, George Ashbridge, Thomas 
Worth, Peter Dicks, John Owen, John Davis, Thomas 
Chandler. 

1748. — Thomas Worth, George Ashbridge, Francis Yarnall, John 
Davis, John Owen, Joseph .James, Thomas Chandler, 
Joseph Gibbons. 

1749. — Joseph Gibbous, George Ashbridge, Henry Hockley, 
Thomas Chandler, Nathaniel Grubb, Nathaniel Pennock, 
Roger Hunt, Thomas Cummings. 

1750. — Joseph Gibbons, George Ashbridge, Thomas Cummings, 
Henry Hockley, Thomas Chandler, Nathaniel Grubb, Na- 
thaniel Pennock, Peter Dicks. 

1751. — Joseph Gibbous, Thomas Cummings, George Ashbridge, 
Nathaniel Grubb, Peter Dicks, Nathaniel Pennock, Henry 
Hockley, Thomas Chandler. 

1752. — Joseph Gibbons, Thomas Cummings, Nathaniel Pennock, 
George Ashbridge, Peter Dicks, Nathaniel Grubb, Wil- 
liam Peters, Jacob Howell. 

1753. — Thomas Cummings, Nathaniel Pennock, George Ashbridge, 
Joseph Gibbons, Nathaniel Grubb, William Peters, Peter 
Dicks, Joseph James. 

1754. — George Ashbridge, Joseph Gibbous, Thomas Cummings, 
Peter Dicks, Nathaniel Pennock, Nathaniel Grubb, 
Joseph James, William Peters. 

1755. — Thomas Cummings, George Ashbridge, Nathaniel Pennock, 
Joseph .James, .Joseph Gibbons, Nathaniel Grubb, Wil- 
liam Peters (resigned and was succeeded by John Morton), 
Nathaniel Grubb. 

1756. — Joseph Gibbons, John Morton, Roger Hunt, George Ash- 
bridge, Hugh Trimble, Nathaniel Grubb, Peter Dicks, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 435 

^Nathaniel Pennock (the latter two resigning and being 
succeeded by Isaac Wayne and Ralph Pyle). 

1757. — Joseph Gibbons, George Ashbridge, John Morton, Roger 
Hunt, Isaac Wayne, Nathaniel Grubb, Hugh Trimble, 
Joshua Ash. 

1758. — Joseph Gibbons, John Morton, George Ashbridge, Roger 
Hunt, Hugh Trimble, Joshua Ash, Nathaniel Grubb, 
Isaac Wayne. 

1759. — John Morton, George Ashbridge, Joshua Ash, Joseph Gib- 
bons, Hugh Trimble, Roger Hunt, Peter Dicks, Isaac 
Wayne. 

1760. — George Ashbridge, John Morton, Roger Hunt, Joshua Ash, 
Joseph Gibbons, Nathaniel Pennock, William Boyd, Isaac 
Wayne. 

1761. — Joseph Gibbons, George Ashbridge, Nathaniel Pennock, 
Joshua Ash, John Morton, Isaac Pearson, Roger Hunt, 
Isaac Wayne. 

1762. — Nathaniel Pennock, George Ashbridge, Joshua Ash, Isaac 
Pearson, John Morton, Joseph Gibbons, John Jacobs, 
Isaac Wayne. 

1763. — George Ashbridge, Joshua Ash, Isaac Pearson, .John Mor- 
ton, Nathaniel Pennock, John .Jacobs, Charles Hum- 
phreys, Isaac Wayne. 

1764. — George Ashbridge, Nathaniel Pennock, John Morton, 
Joshua Ash, Isaac Pearson, Charles Humphreys, John 
Jacobs, John Fairlamb. 

1765. — George Ashbridge, John Morton, John Jacobs, Nathaniel 
Pennock, John Fairlamb, (died and was succeeded by John 
Minshall), Charles Humphreys, Isaac Pearson, Joshua 
Ash. 

1766. — George Ashbridge, Nathaniel Pennock, John Jacobs, 
Charles Humphreys, Isaac Pearson, Joshua Ash, John 
Minshall, John Morton (accepted the office of sheriff and 
Jonas Preston took his place). 



436 CHESTER COUNTY 

1767. — Isaac Pearson, Charles Humphreys, George Ashbridge, 

John Minshall, Jonas Preston, John Jacobs, John Sellers, 

Nathaniel Pennock. 
1768. — John Jacobs, Nathaniel Pennock, George Ashbridge, 

Charles Humphreys, John Sellers, John Minshall, John 

Crosby, Isaac Pearson. 
1769. — George Ashbridge, Charles Humphreys, Isaac Pearson, 

John Sellers, John Jacobs, John Minshall, John Crosby, 

John Morton. 
1770. — Charles Humphreys, Isaac Pearsou, John Minshall, John 

Morton, John Jacobs, John Crosby, John Sellers, George 

Ashbridge. 
1771. — John Morton, John Jacobs, John Sellers, John Minshall, 

John Crosby, Charles Humphreys, Isaac Pearson, George 

Ashbridge. 
1772. — Chai'les Humphreys, Isaac Pearson, John Morton, John 

Jacobs, John Minshall, James Hockley, Geoi'ge Ash- 
bridge, Benjamin Bartholomew. 
1773. — Isaac Pearson, Benjamin Bartholomew, John Jacobs, 

Charles Humphreys, John Morton, James Gibbs, John 

Minshall, Joseph Pennock. 
1774. — Benjamin Bartholomew, John Jacobs, Joseph Pennock, 

James Gibbons, Isaac Pearson, Charles Humphreys, John 

Morton, Anthony Wayne. 
1775. — John Morton (Speaker), Benjamin Bartholomew, James 

Gibbons, Isaac Pearson, John Jacobs, Charles Hum- 
phreys, Joseph Pennock, Joseph Pyle. 
1776. — John Jacobs, Caleb Davis, Joseph Gardner, John Fulton, 

Samuel Cunningham, John Sellers. 
1777. — Joseph Gardner, John Fulton, Samuel Cunningham, John 

Culbertson, Lewis Gi'onow, Stephen Cochran. 
1778. — Joseph Gardner, John Fulton, John Culbertson, Stephen 

Cochran, John Fleming, Patrick Anderson. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 437 

1779. — John Fulton, David Thomas, Henry Haves, James Boyd, 
Patrick Anderson, Joseph Park, William Harris, Sketch- 
ley Morton. 

1780. — David Thomas, Henry Hayes, Joseph Park, AVilliam Har 
ris, James Boyd, Patrick Anderson, John Culbertson 
Evan Evans. 

1781. — John Culbertson, Evan Evans, James Moore, Persifor Fra 
zer, Thomas Maffat, Patrick Anderson, John Hannuni 
John Lindsay. 

1782. — Persifor Frazer, James Boyd, Evan Evans, Thomas Straw 
bridge, Benjamin Branuan, David Thomas, John Lind 
say, Thomas Maffat. 

1783. — David Thomas, Evan Evans, John Hannum, Joseph Park, 
Eichard Willing, Thomas Potts, Thomas Bull, Edward 
Jones. 

1784.— Richard Willing, Anthony Wayne, Edward Jones, Robert 
Ralston, James Moore, Thomas Potts, Persifor Frazer, 
Joseph Strawbridge, Charles Humphreys. 

1785. — Anthony Wayne, Robert Ralston, James Moore, Thomas 
Bull, John Hannum, Robert Smith, Samuel Evans, Jona- 
than Morris. 

1786.— Robert Ralston, Richard Willing, James Moore, Samuel 
Evans, Richard Thomas, Townsend Whelen, and in 1787 
the same members. 

1788. — Richard Thomas, James Moore, Mark Wilcox, John Mc- 
Dowell, Caleb James, Richard Downing, Jr. 

1789._Eichard Thomas, John McDowell, Caleb James, Richard 
Downing, Jr. 

1790._Kichard Downing, Caleb James, John McDowell, James 
Boyd. 

1791. — Richard Downing, Caleb James, James Boyd, Samuel 
Evans. 

1792. — Dennis Whelen, Charles Dilworth, John Hannum, Samuel 
Sharp. 



438 CHESTER COUNTY 

1793. — Dennis Whelen, Thomas Bull, John Ross, Joseph Pierce. 
1794. — Thomas Bull, John Boss, Eobert Frazer, Roger Kirk. 
1795. — Thomas Bull, Robert Frazer, Roger Kirk, Joseph Pierce, 

Abiah Taylor. 
1796. — Thomas Bull, Robert Frazer, Roger Kirk, Abiah Taylor, 

James Hannum. 
1797. — Thomas Bull, Roger Kirk, Abiah Taylor, James Hannum, 

Joseph Hemphill, 
1798 and 1799.— The same as in 1797. 

1800. — Thomas Bull, Roger Kirk, Abiah Taylor, Isaac Wayne. 
1801. — Thomas Bull, John McDowell, Abiah Taylor (died and was 

succeeded by Isaac Anderson), Isaac Wayne, William 

Gibbons. 
1802. — Joseph Park, James Fulton, Edward Darlington, Thomas 

Taylor, Methuselah Davis. 
1803. — James Fulton, Edward Darlington, Methuselah Davis, 

John Boyd, Hezekiah Davis. 
1804. — The same members. 
1805. — John Boyd, Methuselah Davis, James Kelton, Francis 

Gardner, John G. Bull. 
1806. — Same members re-elected. 
1807. — Joseph Park, James Kelton, William Worthington, Isaac 

Darlington, George Evans. 
1808. — James Kelton, John G. Bull, Isaac Darlington, George 

Evans, Abraham Baily. 
1809. — James Steele, John W. Cunningham, John Ramsay, Jacob 

Clemmons, Roger Davis. 
1810. — James Steele, John W. Cunningham, John Ramsay, Jacob 

Clemmons, William Harris. 
1811. — Edward Darlington, Jacob Clemmons, William Harris, 

John Reed, James Brooks. 
1812. — John G. Bull, Abraham Baily, John Menough, 2sathan Pen- 

nypacker. Lea Pusey. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 439 

1813. — Edward Darlington, John Harris, Jolin Reed, James 
Brooks, James Hindman. 

1814.^ — Nathan Pennypacker, John Menough, Lea Pusey, Jacob 
Humplirey, James Roberts. 

1815. — John Menough, Jacob Humphrey, James Roberts, Joseph 
Sharp, John Jones (died and was succeeded by Isaac Dar- 
lington). 

1816-17. — John Menough, Thomas Ashbridge, Evan Evans, Joseph 
Sharp, Samuel Cochran. 

1818. — Thomas Ashbridge, Wallace Boyd, John G. Parke, Joseph 
Sharp, Joshua Hunt. 

1819. — James Kelton, Thomas Ashbridge, Joshua Hunt, Abraham 
Baily, Thomas Baird. 

1820. — James Kelton, Joshua Hunt, Thomas Baird, Stephen Webb, 
Joshua Evans. 

1821. — Wallace Boyd, Timothy Kirk, Jonathan Jones, Elijah 
Lewis, Stephen Webb. 

1822. — Wallace Boyd, Timothy Kirk, Elijah Lewis, Jonathan 
Jones. 

1823. — Elijah Lewis, Joshua Hunt, David Potts, Jr., John Chand- 
ler. 

1824. — Joshua Hunt, David Potts, Jr., John Chandler, William 
Thompson. 

1825.— Same. 

1826. — William Thompson, Townsend Haines, Robert Miller, Mat- 
thias Pennypacker. 

1827. — Same members re-elected. 

1828. — Robert Miller, John Morgan, Isaac Trimble, Dr. Samuel 
McCleane. 

1829. — Joshua McMinn, Jesse James, Jesse Pugh, Gen. Matthew 
Stanley. 

1830. — Thomas Ashbridge, Matthias Pennypacker, Arthur An- 
drews, Dr. Benjamin Griffith. 



440 CHESTER COUXTY 

1831. — Thomas Ashbridge, Arthur Andrews, Dr. Benjamin Grif- 
fith, Elijah F. Pennvpacker. 
1832. — Same members. 
1833.— Oliver Alison, Dr. Samuel McCleane, Dr. Wilmer Worthing- 

tou, Dr. Thomas I. . 

1834. — Elijah F. Pennypacker, Charles Brooke, John Hutchinson, 

John Parker. 
1835. — Same members re-elected. 
1836. — John Parker, Abraham K. Mcllvaine, Maurice Richardson, 

Isaac Downing. 
1837. — Abraham II. Mcllvaine, Maurice Richardson, William H. 

Dillingham, Benjamin J. Passmore. 
1838. — Maurice Richardson, Richard M. Barnard, William K. Cor- 

rey, Beynard Way. 
1839. — Joseph Baily, Joshua ITartshorne, John Morgan, Joel 

Swayne. 
1840.— John D. Steele, Robert Futhey, William K. Correy, Dr. John 

B. Chrisman. 
1841.— William K. Correy, Robert Futhey, Emmor Elton, Robert 

Laverty. 
1842. — Emmor Elton, Robert Parke, Jesse C. Dickey, John Beidler. 
1843. — Robert Parke, Jesse C. Dickey, Joseph Whitaker. 
1844. — Robert Parke, Jesse C. Dickey, William Price. 
1845. — William Price, William D. Thomas, George Ladley. 
1846-47. — George Ladley, Henry S. Evans, Thomas K. Bull. 
1848.— Henry S. Evans, Thomas K. Bull, David J. Bent. 
1849. — David J. Bent, John S. Bowen, John Acker. 
1850. — David J. Bent, John S. Evans, James M. Dorian, 
1851. — John Acker, William Chandler, Jesse James. 
1852. — William Chandler, Jesse James, Dr. Joseph Hickman. 
1853. — Robert E. Monaghan, Henry T. Evans, William Wheeler. 
1854. — Dr. Matthias J. Pennypacker, Mark A. Hodgson, William 

R. Downing. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 44 1 

1855. — Andrew Buchanan, Joseph Dowdall, Kobert Irwin. 

1856. — Dr. Ebeuezer V. Dickey, James Penrose, Paxon Vickers. 

1857.— John Hodgson, Eber W. Sharpe, Morton Garrett. 

1858. — Isaac Acker, William T. Shafer, Caleb Pierce. 

1859 and 1860.— The same. 

1861-62-63.— P. Frazer Smith, William Wiudle, Robert L. McClel- 

lan. 
1864-65-66.— William B. Waddell, Nathan J. Sharpless, Dr. Nathan 

A. Pennypacker. 
1867. — John Hickman, James M. Phillips, Dr. Stephen M. Meredith, 
1868. — James M. Phillips, Dr. Stephen M. Meredith, Archimedes 

Kobb. 
1869. — James C. Roberts, Joseph C. Keech, Abel Darlington. 
1870. — Joseph C. Keech, Levi Prizer, Samuel H. Hoopes. 
1871. — Joseph C. Keech, Levi Prizer. 
1872.— Levi Prizer, Dr. E. W. Baily. 
1873. — The same two members re-elected. 
1874.— Dr. E. W. Bailey, Peter G. Carey, John P. Edge, George F. 

Smith. 
1876.— Samuel Butler, William T. Fulton, Jesse Matlack, John P. 

Edge. 
1878. — Samuel Butler, William T. Fulton, Jesse Matlack, John A. 

Reynolds. 
1880.— John A. Reynolds, Theodore K. Stubbs, John T. Potts, 

William Wayne. 
1882.— John T. Potts, Theodore K. Stubbs, William Wayne, Levi 

Fetters. 
1884.— Theodore K. Stubbs, William Wayne, Levi Fetters, Levi B, 

Kaler. 
1886. — Lewis K. Evans, W. W. McConnell, John W. Hickman, D. 

Smith Talbot. 
1887. — William Evans. 
1888. — Lewis H. Evans, John W. Hickman, W. W. McConnell, D, 

Smith Talbot. 



442 CHESTER COUNTY 

1S90. — David H. Branson, William P. Snyder, Dr. J. G. West. 
1892.— D. Smith Talbot, J. H. Marshall, T. J. Phillips, D. F. Moore. 
1894.— D. Smith Talbot, J. H. Marshall, T. J. Phillips, D. F. Moore. 
1896.— J. H. Marshall, T. J. Phillips, D. F. Moore, Phimmer E. 
Jefferies. 

On the first Tuesday of October, 1765, the first American Con- 
gress convened in the city of New York, composed of delegates 
from nine of the colonies, and originating in a call by the Legis- 
lature of Massachusetts to take into consideration the oppressive 
measures of the British Parliament, The result of the delibera- 
tions of this Congress was a declaration of rights, a memorial to 
Parliament, and a petition to the king, in which they objected to 
being taxed except by their own representatives. Their proceed- 
ings were approved by the assemblies of the several colonies, and 
thus for the first time a semblance of a federal union was formed 
or at least prefigured. In this first Congress Chester County was 
represented by John Morton, who resided in what is now Delaware 
County, and who afterward signed the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. 

In the second Congress, usually known in history as the "First 
Continental Congress," which met September 5, 1774, in Carpen- 
ter's Hall, Philadelphia, Chester County was represented by John 
Morton and Charles Humphreys, and eight of the fifty-five mem- 
bers were from Pennsylvania. In the next Continental Congress, 
usually known as the Second, Chester County was represented by 
the same two membei-s, and this was also the case in the next 
Congress, which met in 1776. In this Congress, when the vote was 
taken on the adoption of the Declaration, John Morton voted in its 
favor, and Charles Humphreys against it. Only two other mem- 
bers from Pennsylvania voted against the Declaration, John Dick- 
inson, its ablest opponent, Thomas Willing of Philadelphia County, 
and these three gentlemen were succeeded in the Congress by 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 445 

Colonels George Ross and James Smith, Dr. Benjamin Rush, 
George Clymer, and George Taylor, all of whom signed the Declara- 
tion of Independence as they had opportunity. 

Chester County was represented in Congress from 1777 to 1779 
by William Clingan of West Cain Township, and in 1784 and 1785 
by Dr. Joseph Gardner, who resided near Sadsburyville. Previous 
to the adoption of the Constitution of the United States members 
of Congress were elected by the legislatures of the several states, 
and at the first election for members of Congress held under that 
Constitution they were elected on a general ticket, the votes cast 
in Chester County for delegates to the fii'st Congress under the Con- 
stitution being ai5 follows: Henry Wynkoop, 901; Thomas Hai'tley, 
903; Frederick A. Muhlenberg, 901; Thomas Fitzsimmons, 900; 
John Allison, 896; Thomas Scott, 895; George Clymer, 890; Stephen 
Chambers, 890. 

When the State was divided into congressional districts by 
act of March 16, 1791, Chester and Montgomery Counties became 
the Third district, and at the election held in October following, 
Israel Jacobs of Montgomerj- County was elected to represent it in 
Congress. On April 7, 1792, an act was passed providing for elec- 
tion of congressmen on a general ticket, and under this arrange- 
ment the candidates for Congress in the State who were elected 
and the votes cast for them in Cbester County were as follows: 
Frederick A. Muhlenberg, 2,031; William Irvine, 2,011; Daniel 
Heister, 2,009; William Findley, 2,003; John Wilkes Kittera, 1,999; 
Thomas Hartley, 1,973; Thomas Fitzsimmons, 1,843; Henry Wyn- 
koop, 1,801; Thomas Scott, 1,787, and Samuel Sitgreaves, 1,721. 

The State was divided into twelve congressional districts by 
an act passed April 22, 1794, Chester and Delaware Counties 
forming the Third district, and this arrangement lasted until 1802, 
in which year the State was, as it has been in every tenth year 
since then, districted according to the number of members to 
which it was entitled under the several censuses of the United 
26 



446 CHESTER COUNTY 

States. Since 1802 the districts to which Chester County has be- 
longed, and the r^umber of members of Congress t]i(> district has 
been entitled to, have been as follows: 

1802. — Third district, Chester, Berks and Lancaster, three 
members. 

1812. — Second district, Chester and Montgomery, two mem- 
bers. 

1822. — Fourth district, Chester, Delaware and Lancaster, three 
members. 

1832. — Four-th district, Chester, Delaware and Lancaster, three 
members. 

1842. — Seventh district, Chester County, one member. 

1852. — Sixtli district, Chester and Delaware, one member. 

1862. — Seventh distinct, Chester and Delaware, one member. 

1872. — The same, and 1882, the Sixth, as it still remains. 

When the vote on the Declaration of Independence was first 
taken, the colonies, aside from Pennsylvania, were equally divided, 
and the vote of Pennsylvania was itself divided equally' in the 
absence of one of Chester County's representatives in the Congress. 
John Morton, coming into the hall, turned the tide in favor of the 
Declaration, for, with his vote in favor of it, Pennsylvania was 
ranged on its side, and thus there was a majority in the colonial 
vote. At least this is the way this important point of history has 
usually been written and understood. And it is for the reason 
that John Morton was of such importance at a most ci'itical junc- 
ture that an exception is made in his case, and a full sketch of his 
life here introduced. 

The first mention of the name of Morton in the history of 
ancient Chester County is in the list of names attached to the oath 
of allegiance of the Swedes to the Dutch in 1655, where it was 
spelled Martin Martens. In an old book of service at Harrisburg, 
dated 1675, may be found the following: "Laid out for John Cor- 
nells and Martou Marteson (Morton Mortonson) one piece or parcel 



AND ITS PEOPLE. .447 

of land where they now dwell, situate, lying and being on the west 
side of the Delaware Eiver, and on a creek which cometh out of 
said river, said creek commonly known and called Amsland, or 
Mill Kill," etc. Morton Mortonson as early as 1655 lived on his 
plantation at Ammeslaad in Eidley Township, old Chester (now 
Delaware) County. He is always spoken of as "of Ammesland." 
There was a Morton Mortonson of "Calking Hook," whose will is 
dated November 1, 1718. Whether these two Morton Mortonsons 
were one and the same individual, or whether there were two indi- 
viduals of the same name, appears not yet to have been settled by 
local historians. But the Morton Mortonson of "Calking Hook" 
had children as follows: David, Andrew, John, Matthias, Katha- 
rine and Margaret. 

John Morton, the third of the above-named children, married 
Mary Archer, daughter of John Archer of Eidley, by whom he had 
but one son, also named John, born after his father's death, early 
in the year 1725. The widow married John Sketchley, an English- 
man, yeoman, who came from England in 1718, and settled in Eid- 
ley Township in 1724, and died in 1753 without children. His step- 
son, John Morton, in remembrance of his kindness, named one of 
his sons Sketchley, who became a major in the Eevolutionary army, 
and a man of note in his day. 

John Morton, the signer, married Ann .Justis, by whom he had 
three sons and five daughters. He was a member of the Provincial 
Assembly for eleven years from 1756; was a justice of the peace 
for Chester County in 1757; was sheriff in 1767 and 1768; was a 
member of the Congress that sat in New York in 1765; and was re- 
elected in 1771 and again reelected in 1776; was a member of the 
first convention to frame a constitution for the State of Pennsyl- 
vania in 1776. He was appointed associate judge of the Supreme 
Provincial Court of Pennsylvania, and was the last appointment 
to that court under the old order of things. He died in December, 
1777, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. 




448 CHESTER COUNTY 

His children were Aaron, Sketchley, John, Mary, Sarah, Lydia, 
Ann and Elizabeth. Major Sketchley Morton married Rebecca 
Taylor of Tinicum, and had children as follows) Charles, Rebecca, 
Ann, Aaron Taylor, and John S., the latter of whom was born 
February 21, 1780. He married Susannah Crosby, June 30, 1S03, 
and had the following children: Ann Crosby, Rebecca Taylor, 
Susan Crosby, Sketchley, John Crosby, Ellen Elizabeth, Crosby 
Peirce, Franklin H., and Catharine Plummei*. Of these Sketchley 
Morton was born October 12, 1810, and maiTied Annesley Newlin, 
by whom he had John S., Benjamin N., Elizabetli N., Sketchley, 
Annesley, Susan, Mary, Crosby and Hattie, the latter two twins. 

That patriotism is inherent in the family is shown by the fact 
that Sketchley Morton, Jr., son of Judge Sketchley Morton of 
Springfield, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, enlisted in the 
Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania volunteers, becoming first lieutenant 
of a company, and serving until his death by yellow fever Novem- 
ber 12, 1862, at the age of twenty-one years. Upon his death a 
poem was written as has been thought by Rev. John Pleasanton du 
Hamel, at one time rector of the Church of the Redemption, Phila- 
delphia. The poem in part is as follows : 

"A noble youth, a noble lineage. 
Descent of man whose patriot deed 
Gave Independence to our glorious Union; 
Aye, set his State, the Keystone 
Of this loved temple of our Liberties. 

"The name of Morton — when the Nation's fate 
Poised in dubious scale of destiny, 
(Who doubts may read) the balance shook, and to 
The side of Freedom sent the quivering beam," etc. 

Chester County has been represented in the Senate of the 
United States by one of her distinguished citizens, viz., Gen. Isaac 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 449 

D. Barnard, who was elected to that high office in 1828, took his 
seat March 4, 1829, and served until 1831, when he resigned on 
account of failing health. He died at West Chester in 1834. Gen- 
eral Barnard was born in 1791 at Che.ster, Pennsylvania, and was 
admitted to the bar at West Chester in 181fi. He had been a gal- 
lant soldier and officer in the war of 1812, being under the 
command of Winder at Sackett's Harbor. He was promoted to 
the rank of major in the year 1813, and descended the Saint 
Lawrence Eiver with Wilkinson and heard the firing at 
Chrysler Farm, unable to be present on account of illness. He 
greatly distinguished himself for bravery at the battle of Lyons' 
Ci'eek, conducting the charge and driving the enemy from their 
ground. After the conclusion of the war he applied himself to the 
practice of the law in West Chester, becoming unusually popular 
on account of his courage and high character. In 1820 he was 
elected to the State Senate from the district composed of Chester 
and Delaware Counties, and in 1824 he was elected major-general 
of the Third district of the militia, in which capacity he aided 
largely in the hospitalities extended to the Marquis de Lafayette 
on his visit to Chester County. In 1826 he was appointed Secre- 
tary of the Commonwealth, aud in 1828 he was elected to the Sen- 
ate of the United States, as above stated. In 1829 his friends made 
the attempt to nominate him for Governor of the State, but on ac- 
count of a factional fight in Chester County, the attempt was not 
successful. As a lawyer he Avas eminently successful, notwith- 
standing the many interruptions in his practice, by his engage- 
ments in niilitai7 and political life, and the many able competitors 
then practicing at the Chester County bar. On October 19, 1854, 
his remains were removed from the Friends' graveyard on High 
Street, to the Oaklands Cemetery, where a monument to him had 
already been erected, Dr. William Darlington delivering an ora- 
tion on this occasion, which was made a very imposing military 
pageant, the procession reaching from the court-house to the cem- 
etery. 



450 CHESTER COUNTY 

Following is a list of tlie members of Congress from Chester 
Connty, together with the number of the Congress in which they 
severally served, ami the year in which they were elected, since 
1794: 

1794-96-98.— IVth, Vth and Vlth congresses, Eichard Thomas, 
West Whiteland. 

1800.— VII, Joseph Hemphill, West Chester. 

1802-04. — VIII and IX, Isaac Anderson, Charlestown. 

1806.— X, John Heister, Coventry. 

1808.— XI, Daniel Heister, West Chester. 

1810.— XII, Dr. Eoger Davis, Charlestown. 

1812.— XIII, the same. 

1814.— XIV, Dr. William Darlington, West Chester. 

1816.— XV, Isaac Darlington, West Chester. 

1818-20.— XVI and XVII, Dr. William Darlington. West 
Chester. 

1822.— XVII, Col. Isaac Wayne, Easttown. 

1824-26.— XIX and XX, Charles Miner, West Chester, 

1828-30.— XXI and XXII, Joshua Evans, TredyfCrin. 

1830-32-34-36.— XXII, XXIII, XXIV and XXV, David Potts, 
Jr., East Nautmeal. 

1838-40.— XX^'I, XX^'II, Francis James, West Chester. 

1843-44-46.— XXVIII, XXIX and XXX, Abraham K. Mcll- 
vaine. West Nantmeal. 

1848.— XXXI, Jesse C. Dickey, New London. 

1850.— XXXII, Dr. John A. Morrison, West Fallowfield. 

1852.— XXXIII, William Everhart, West Chester. 

1854-56-58-60.— XXXIV, XXXV, XXXVI and XXXVII, John 
Hickman, West Chester. 

1862-64-66.— XXXVIII, XXXIX and XL, John M. Broomall, 
Delaware County. 

1868-70-72-74.— XLI, XLII, XLIII and XLIV, Washington 
Townsend, West Chester. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 451 

1876-78-80.— XL^', XLVI and XLYII, ^Villiam Ward, Dela- 
ware County. 

1882-84.— XL VIII and XLIX, James B. Everhart. 

188G-88.— L and LI, Smedley Darlington. 

1890-92-94.— LII, LIII and LIV, .John B. Robinson, Delaware 
County. 

189G.— L^', 1 honias S. Butler. 

Hon. John Hickman, elected four times to Congress from 
Chester County, was one of the historic personages of his times. 
While he was a youth he was noted for his uncommon intellectual 
ability, and it was this that led his parents to secure for him the 
best education obtainable. Having read law with the Hon. Town- 
send Haines, he was admitted to the bar in 1832, and being a 
good speaker he soon wou a prominent position in the Democrat 
party of Chester County. In 1844 he Avas a delegate to the National 
Convention that nominated James K. Polk for President, but was 
himself in favor of AndrcAv Jackson. In that year he was nomi- 
nated by the Democrats of his district for Congress, but was de- 
feated by Hon. Abraliam II. ilclhaiue. In 184.5 he was appointed 
district attorney, and was again appointed to the same office about 
the first of tlie year 1847. In 18.54 he was again nominated for 
Congress by the Democracy, and was elected by a majority of 
2,656, securing the vote of the Know Nothings, ''through some 
influences" which have neA^er been satisfactorily explained." In 
Congress Mr. Hickman was an opponent of slaver^-, notwithstand- 
ing which he was again elected to Congress in 1856 by the Democ- 
racy of his district. Though he supported Mr. Buchanan for Presi- 
dent that year, yet in a speech delivered in the House on .January 
28, 1858, he declared that the President had broken faith with the 
party in his Kansas policy, and he could no longer support him. 
In 1858 he was again elected to Congress by a large majority over 
both the regular Republican and Democi'atic nominees, and aided 
the Republicans to break the deadlock in the famous contest of 



452 CHESTER COUNTY 

Speaker of the House, the result of which was the election of Mr. 
Pennington. 

During the two years that followed Mr. Hickmau made for 
himself a world-wide reputation by his able and sarcastic speeches 
against slavery. In reply to the threat of disunion, he said that 
the North wotild never tolerate a division of territory, because 
"eighteen millions, reared in industi'y, with habits of the right 
kind, will always be able to cope successfully, .if need be, with 
eight millions of men with these appliances" of art. 

In 1860, when Mr. Lincoln was nominated for the Presidency, 
Mr. Hickman confidently anticipated the nomination for Vice- 
President; but failing in this he was again elected to Congress, 
and at the end of this term declined re-election. He gave his dis- 
trict a national reputation, and Avas much in advance of the times 
in regard to the freeing of the slaves, the right of the President 
to confiscate all kinds of property of the rebels in arms, including 
slaves, and the arming of the blacks as soldiers in the Union army, 
his views at length being acted upon. 

It is presumed that all know how Presidential electors are 
chosen, hence all that is deemed necessary to do in this connection 
is to present a list of the Pennsylvania Presidential electors that 
have been residents of Chester County. Though it is proper to 
state that the electors who voted for General Washington when 
he was first elected President of the United States were appointed 
by the Legislature of the State. Following is the list since 1792, 
including two from Delaware County, representing the Congres- 
sional district: 

1792, Washington's second election, Thomas Bull; 179(), John 
Adams" election, James Boyd; 1801, Thomas Jefferson's second 
election, James Boyd; 1808, James Madison's first election, Georg-e 
Hartman; 1812, Madison's second election, James Fulton; 1816, 
James Monroe's first election, Isaac Anderson; 1820, Monroe's sec- 
ond election, William Clingan; 1824, John Quincy Adams' election, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 453 

Cromwell Pearce; 1828, Andrew Jackson's first election, John W. 
Ounningham ; 1832, Jackson's second election, Oliver Alison ; ISSC, 
Martin Van Buren's election, Oliver Alison; 1840, William Henry 
Harrison's election, A. R. Mellvaine; 1844, James K. Polk's elec- 
tion, Jesse Sharp; 1848, Zachai-y Taylor's election, John D. Steele; 
1852, Franklin Pierce's election, N. Strickland; 1856, James Bu- 
chanan's election, John H. Brinton; 18G0, Abraham Lincoln's first 
election, J. M. Broomall; 1864, Lincoln's second election, Robert 
Parke; 1868, \J. S. Grant's first election, Francis C. Hooton; 1872, 
Grant's second election, John M. Broomall; 1876, Rutherford B. 
Hayes' election, Joseph W. Barnard; 1880, James A. Garfield's elec- 
tion, David F. Houston ; 1884, Grover Cleveland's election, Horace 
A. Beale; 1888, Benjamin Harrison's election, Joseph R. T. Coates. 
Delaware County: 1892, Grover Cleveland's second election. Max- 
well Glower; 1896, William McKinley's election, Joseph H. Huddell. 
Gen. Anthony Wayne, one of the most famous soldiers of the 
Revolutionary War and in the Indians wars in the West, whose 
rapid movements and fearless courage led to his being styled "Mad 
Anthony Wayne," was born in Easttown, Chester County, Pa., 
January 1, 1745. Having received a good academic education he 
began life as a professional surveyor at the age of eighteen years, 
and when he was twenty years old he was sent to Nova Scotia 
to locate lands for a company. After a two years' residence there 
he returned to Chester County, married, and resumed the business 
of a surveyor. In 1773 he was elected to the Assembly, and in 
1775 he was appointed to a command in the Continental Army, 
proceeding to Canada with General Thomas, and remaining there 
one year. He was then promoted to brigadier-general, and w^as 
actively engaged with General Washington in the battles of the 
Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. In 1779 he made a 
determined attack by night on Stony Point on the Hudson, making 
the entire garrison prisoners. After conquering the Western In- 
dians in 1794, he died at Presque Isle, now Erie, Pennsylvania, 



454 CHESTER COUNTY 

December 14, 1796, and his remains were there buried; but they 
were removed in 1809 to the family lot in the cemetery connected 
with St. David's Church, Delaware County, where they now repose. 
Washington Townsend, formerly a member of Congress from 
Chester County, was born in Chester County, January 13, 1813. He 
was a son of David and Eebecca (Sharpless) Townsend, and was 
educated by such old-time teachers as Jonathan Cause and Joseph 
Strode at West Chester Academy. While occupying the position 
of teller in the IJank of Chester County he began the study of the 
law, reading with William Darlington, and was admitted to the 
bar May 7, 1844. From tliat time until his death he was success- 
fully engaged in the practice of his profession, though he served 
from 1848 to 1857 as cashier of the bank, resigning this position 
in the latter year in order that he might devote himself more closely 
to the law. He served as prosecuting attorney from October, 184S, 
to April, 1849; was a delegate to tUe National Whig Convention of 
1852 and to the National llepublican Convention of 1800, which 
nominated Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency of the United 
States. He served in Congress from 1868 to 1876, during which 
time he warmly advocated a tariff for the protection of American 
industries, the national banking system, the appropriation of the 
public lands for educational purposes, and an improved policy 
with reference to the Indian Avars of the nation. Succeeding 
John H. Ketcham as chairman of the Committee on Public Lands, 
he was also a member of the committee on education, the com- 
mittee on Freedmen's affairs and of the committee on finance and 
commerce. He strenuously opix>sed the bill, by the passage of 
which tlie members of Congress voted themselves back pay to the 
amount of •'!!2,500 to each man, and after the bill became a law he 
refused to accept the sum to which, under its provisions, he was 
entitled. Returning to Chester County from Congress he was 
elected president of the National Bank of Chester County, filling 
the office until his death, March 18, 1894. 



AND ITS! PEOPLE. 455 

Hon. James Bowen Everhart, a man of rare ability, highly 
distinguished for his public services, was the third son of Hon. 
William and Hannah (Matlack) Everhart. He was born in West 
Whiteland Julj 26, 1821, and received his education at Anthony 
Bolmar's Academy and at Princeton College, graduating from the 
latter institution in 1812. He was admitted to the bar in 181."), 
and took special law courses in the universities of Edinburgh and 
Berlin. Keturning to the United States, he practiced his profession 
until 1861, and then served bravely and faithfully in the army of 
the Union. He was a popular Republican leader in Chester County, 
and served as a member of the State Senate from 1876 to 1882, 
during which time he pronounced eulogies on Bayard Taylor, Wil- 
liam Penu and Anthony Wayne, which have been pronounced 
the finest memorials ever heard in the State. Having in 1882 been 
elected to the Forty-eighth Congress, he I'esigned his seat iu the 
State Senate, and was re-elected to Congress in 1881. He was a 
noted author, and his "Miscellanies," his "Poems," "The Fox 
Chase," and his "Speeches," are volumes of great usefulness and 
interest. He died August 23, 1888, honored and mourned by all 
that knew him. 

Hon. Wayne MacVeagh was bom in Phoenixville iu 1833, and 
is a son of Major and Margaret (Lincoln) MacVeagh. He was 
educated at Freeland's Seminary in Montgomery County and at 
Yale College, graduating from the latter institution iu 18.53, the 
class of that year being rendered famous by many of its afterward 
distinguished members, among whom, besides Mr. MacVeagh, were 
Chauncey M. Depew, Andrew I). White, Charlton T. Lewis and 
Isaac Bromley of the Xew York Tribune. Mr. MacVeagh read law 
with Hon. Joseph J. Lewis of West Chester and was admitted to the 
bar in 1856. He was made district attorney iu 1859, and was chair- 
man of the Eepublican State Committee in 1863, in which Gov- 
ernor Curtin was elected to the office of Governor the second time. 
During the Civil ^^'ar he served on the staff of General Couch, with 



456 CHESTER COUNTY 

the rank of major, was appointed by President Grant Ambassador 
to Tui'key, and in the constitutional convention of 1872-73, and 
was appointed by President Hayes as a member of the Louisiana 
Commission, which decided in favor of seating Governor Nichols 
as against Packard, some of the other members of that commission 
being ex-Gov. Joseph Brown of Georgia and Joseph Hawley of 
Connecticut. He Avas solicitor for the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
pany for a number of years, and was made Attorney-General of the 
United States under President Garfield. By President Cleveland 
he was appointed in 1894 Ambassador to Italy, and is now engaged 
in the practice of tJie law in Washington the winters, and resides 
on his farm at Bryn Mawr in summer seasons. 

Mr. MacVeagh is noted for scholarship, and is in great demand 
as an orator on public celebrations, as at college commencements 
and other educational occasiops. For years he has been president 
of the Pennsylvania Civil Service Reform Association, and in poli- 
tics, though acting most of his life with the Republican party, is 
in favor of the Democratic doctrine of tariff for revenue only. 

His first wife was a daughter of Joseph J. Lewis, and his sec- 
ond wife a daughter of Gen. Simon Cameron. By his first wife 
he has two sons living, one of whom is practicing law in New York 
City, and the other residing in Pliiladelphia. By his second wife he 
had two children, a son and daughter, the former of whom is dead, 
but the second, Margarretta, is living. 

Major Levi G. McCauley, auditor-general of tlie State of Penn- 
sylvania, was born in Chester County, September 2, 1837, and is 
a son of John and Lydia (Gheen) McCauley. He was educated in 
the i)ublic schools and at Abiugtou Center and at Wyoming Semi- 
nary. Prior to the late Civil War he was a practical mechanical 
engineer. He was the eldest of four brothers who joined a battalion 
of 200 men raised by their father in Susquehanna County in the 
latter pai-t of April, 1861, and as the father was refused a commis- 
sion on account of his age, by Governor Curtin, Levi left the bat- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 457 

talion and joined a company of soldiers at Wilkesbarre, com- 
manded by Col. E. B. Harvey, this company afterward becoming 
Company F, Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, and going 
into camp at Camp Wayne, West Chester, as a private soldier. He 
was promoted to first sergeant at Camp Wayne, and to first lieu- 
tenant in November, 1862. At the battle of Charles City Cross Roads 
Mr. McCauley was severely wounded, in consequence of which his 
right arm had to be amputated. Taken prisoner by the rebels, he 
was taken to the famous Libby prison, where he was confined 
seventy days, and being at length paroled he was taken to David's 
Island Hospital, Xew York, remaining there until the following 
November, when he was ordered to Harrisburg for duty in the 
recruiting service. Notwithstanding his maimed condition he re- 
joined his I'egiment in January, 1863, and in Februai'y, 1864, he was 
promoted to cajttain of his company and performed his duty with 
his regiment until the next December, when he was transferred to 
the Veteran Reserve Corps. He was breveted major in 1865 for 
gallant and meritorious services, and on January 30, 1866, was dis- 
charged because his services were no longer needed by the Gov- 
ernment. 

Ever since the close of the war Major McCauley has been an 
active leader in the Republican party. He was elected register 
of wills in the fall of 1869; was chairman of the Republican com- 
mittee from 1866 to 1890, and has been a delegate to numerous 
county, state and national Republican conventions. He was nomi- 
nated by the Republican State Convention in August, 1897, for 
auditor-general of the State of Pennsylvania, and in November 
following was elected by a vote of 412,652 as against 268,341 given 
to his Democratic opponent. His majority over all opponents was 
79,456, and he led his ticket by a vote of 40,214. He was elected 
a delegate to the Republican State Convention in the spring of 
1898. 

Major McCiauley was married October 6, 1870, to Miss Isabel 



458 CHESTER COUXTY 

Darlington, daughter of the late Hon. AYilliaiii and Catherine P, 
Darlington. 

For more than one hundred years, or from 1681 to 1790, the 
frame of government under which the Province of Pennsylvania 
prospered provided for a Governor, a Council and an Assembly, 
the Council being a portion of the time appointed by the Governor 
and a part of the time elected by the people of the several counties. 
But all of this time it was a portion of the executive branch of 
the government, instead of being as the Senate has been since 1790, 
a part of the legislative branch. It has often been a matter of 
uncertainty as to where those constitution builders of Tennessee, 
in 1796, found a form of government after which to pattern, who 
attempted to provide the then new State with a legislative body, 
consisting of but one branch, or part; but they may have had the 
frame of government in vogue in Pennsylvania for the then past 
one hundred years in mind. 

At first, in the Province of Pennsylvania, it was directed 
that the freemen on the 20th of the twelfth month (February) 
should elect seventy-two persons as councilors, one-third for three 
years, one-third for two years and one-third for one year, next 
ensuing, and that on the 20th of the twelfth year afterward twenty- 
four persons, instead of seventy-two, should be so elected. The 
first election for counciloi's was therefore held on the 20th of 
February, 1682, and the Council elected met on the 10th of the 
next month, the sheriffs making their returns and presenting 
petitions from the inhabitants on that day. Thomas Usher pre- 
sented a petition from Chester County, to William Penn, proprie- 
tary and governor of the Province, to the effect that the freeholders 
of Chester County had chosen twelve persons for delegates to 
serve in the Provincial Council, and asking that, in consideration 
of the fact that there were but few people in the county acquainted 
with public business, and of the further fact that the county was 
unable to support greater elections and assemblies, three of the 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 459 

twelve elected might serve as oouncilorsj, aud that the other nine 
might serve in the Assembly. This ari-angement was agreed to, 
the three men selected for the Council by the votei*s of Chester 
County being John Simcock, for three years; Ealph Withers, for 
two years, and AVilliam Clayton, for one year. By a new frame 
of government the number of councilors was reduced to three 
from each county, which number was subject to changes by the 
Governor, Council or Assembly, but was never to exceed the limita- 
tions of the charter. 

Governor Fletcher of New York, being placed in charge of 
the Province in 1693, chose his own Council of twelve persons, who 
served two years. Under Governor Markham the plan of electing 
the Council Avas resumed, but in the next year, 1796, the Governor 
selected his own Council. In this latter year a new frame of gov- 
ernment went into operation, under which there were two council- 
lors from each county, who served for one year. In 1700 the 
number of councillors from each county again became three, but 
the charter was suii'endered in May of that year, and a new one 
granted, under which the councillors were appointed by the pro- 
prietary or his lieutenant. In 1702 John Finney, sou of Capt. Samuel 
Finney, was selected as the member from Chester County, to serve 
in the Council, and from this time on until the Revolutionary 
War there were but few members chosen from Chester County. 

In January, 1775, the Revolutionary convention appointed a 
"Council of Safety," as did the convention of 1776, the latter con- 
vention finding it necessary for them to usurp the entire govern- 
ment, and to form a constitution, which went into immediate effect 
without having been submitted to a vote of the people, a high- 
handed proceeding, which would not be submitted to at the 
present time, and only justified by the overpowering necessities of 
the time. The members of Chester County to this convention 
were Benjamin Bartholomew, John Jacobs, Thomas Strawbridge, 
Albert Smith, Samuel Cunningham, John Hart, John Mackey and 
John Fleming. 



46o CHESTER COUNTY 

This constitutional convention originated in an assembly called 
a "Provincial Conference," convened in pursuance of a resolution of 
Congress, recommending a change in the form of State Govern- 
ments. Of this provincial conference, which met at Philadelphia, 
June 18, 1776, the members from Chester County being Col. Rich- 
ard Thomas, Maj. William Evans, Col. Thomas Hockley, Maj. Caleb 
Davis, Elisha Price, Samuel Fairlamb, Col. William Montgomery, 
Col. Hugh Lloyd, Kichard Itiley, Col. Evan Evans, Col. Lewis 
Greno, Maj. Sketchley Morton and Capt. Thomas Levis. 

Under this constitution the power of legislation was vested in 
a general assembly of one house, and the supreme executive power 
in a council of twelve persons, elected in fours for a term of three 
years, and the council and assembly elected a president annually 
by joint ballot. This constitution remained in force until 1790. 

Following is as complete a list as could be made of the mem- 
bers of the Council from Chester County: 

1681. — Kobert Wade, James Sandelands, William Wootlman- 
see, William Clayton. 

1683. — William Clayton, Ralph Withers, John Simcock. 

1684.— William Qayton, William Wood, Christopher Taylor. 

1685. — Nicholas Newlin. 

1686. — John Simcock, Francis Harrison. 

1687. — John Bristow. 

1688. — Bartholomew Coppock. 

1689. — John Blunston, declined to serve, and William Howell 
fleeted in his place. 

1689.— John Simcock. 

1690. — John Blunston, declined to serve, and William Howell 
elected in his place. 

1691.— John Bristow. 

1692. — Samuel Levis, John Simcock. 

1693-94. — George Foreman. 

1695. — George Maris, one year; Caleb Pusey, two years, and 
David Lloyd, three years. 



'J^Slk. WSfk: 






K 



MIL 




^/ry^cy-^ 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 463 

1G96. — Jasper Yutes. 
1697. — John Simcock, Caleb Piisey. 
1G9S. — Joliu Simcock, David Lloyd. 
1699.— Caleb Pusey, David Lloyd. 

1700. — David Lloyd, three years; Caleb Pusey, two years, and 
John Simcock, one year. 

After the Surrender of the Charter. 

1700. — Caleb Pusey, continued until 1715. 

1702. — John Finney. 

Committee of Safety. 

1775. — Anthony- Wayne, Benjamin Bartholpmew, Francis 
Johnston, Richard Riley, and after October, the same, with 
Nicholas Fairlamb added. 

1776. — Council of Safety, Benjamin Bartholomew. 
Supreme Executive Council. 

1777. — John Evans and John Mackey, from November 21. 

1779. — Dr. Joseph Gardner; 1782, Dr. John McDowell; 1785, 
Evan Evans; 17SS, Col. Richard Willing. 

lu 1789 Dr. Thomas Huston was elected, by 1,586 votes, but his 
claim to a seat was rejected. 

In 1790 the Legislature was for the first time in this State 
made to consist of two bodies, a Senate and a House of Repre- 
sentatives, and by the Constitution under which this form of gov- 
ernment was established, the Senate was to consist of not less 
than one-fourth nor more than one-third of the House. Upon its 
organization the Senate was composed of eighteen members; but 
in ISOl the number was increased to 25, in 1808 to 31, in 1822 
to 33, and in 1874 to 50. 

Under the Constitution of 1790 the term of service was four 

years; under that of 1838, three years, aud under that of 1871, 

four years. In the division of the State into districts, Chester 

County, from 1790 to 1808, was a district in itself, and had one 

27 



464 



CHESTER COUNTY 



member: in 1808 it was' united with Delaware County in one dis- 
trict, wliich was allowed two members; in 1830 Montgomery County 
was added to the district, which had three members; in 1843 Mont- 
gomery County was placed in auother district, and Chester and 
Delaware were allowed one member; in 1861 Montgomery County 
was again added and the district was allowed two members, and 
in 1871 Delaware and Chester again became a district, with one 
member. 

Following is a list of the members of the senate from Chester 
County : 



1790. — Richard Thomas, elected 

for four years. 
1791. — Dennis A^^helen, three 

years. 
1797. — Joseph McClellan, one 

year. 
1798. — Dennis Whelen, four 

years. 
1802. — John Reister, four years. 
1806. — Isaac Wayne, four 

years. 
1810. — Isaac Wayne, one year. 
1811. — John Gemmill, three 

years. 
1814. — Abraham Baily, four 

years. 
1818. — Samuel Cochran, four 

years. 
1820. — Isaac D. Barnard, four 

years. 
1822. — James Kelton, four 

years. 
1826. — Joshua Hunt, four years. 
1830. — William Jackson, four 

years. 
1834. — Francis James, four 

years. 
1838.— Nathaniel BrtK)ke, four 

years. 



1842. — Joseph Baily, three 

years. 
1845. — William Williamson, 

three years. 
1851. — Henry S. Evans, three 

years. 
1857.— Thomas S. Bull, three 

years. 
1863. — Dr. Wilmer Worthing- 

ton, 3 years. 
1866. — Dr. Wilmer Worthing- 

tou, three years. 
1870. — Henry S. Evans, served 

until his death in February, 

1872. 
1872.— William B. Waddell, for 

balauce of term. 
1874. — Robert L. McClellan, two 

years. 
1876. — James B. Everhart, four 

years. 
1880. — James B. Everhart, four 

years. 
1884. — A. D. Harlan, six years. 
1892. — S. E. Neviu, sensed one 

day. 
1892.'— William P. Snyder, four 

vears. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 465 

COUNTY OFFICES. 
The county offices, those of the Prothonotary, Register of 
Wills, Kecorder of Deeds, Clerk of the Orphan's Court, Cleric of 
the Court of Quarter Sessions and Clerk of the Court of Oyer 
and Terminer, were, under the Provincial Government, filled by 
appointment by the proprietarj' government. Under the Consti- 
tution of 1776 these appointments were made by the Supreme 
Executive Council and General Assembly. Under the Constitu- 
tion of 1790 they were made by the Governor, and under the 
Constitution of 1838 they became elective. 

From 1777 to 1821 the offices of prothonotary and clerk of 
the Orphans' Court and of the Courts of Quarter Sessions and 
Oyer and Terminer were filled by the same persons, and from 
1821 to 1824 one person was prothonotary and clerk of the Court 
of Oyer and Terminer, and one person was cleric of the Court of 
Quarteii Sessions and of the Orphans' Court. From 1777 to 1824 
the same person held the offices of register of wills and re- 
corder of deeds. From 1824 to 1836 the same persons held the 
offices of prothonotary and clerk of the Courts of Quarter Ses- 
sions and Oyer and Terminer, and from 1824 to 1828 the same 
person held the offices of clerk of the Orphans' Court and register 
of wills. From 1828 to 1836 the office of clerk of the Orphan' 
Court was separate from any other office. 

From 1824 to the present time the office of recorder of deeds 
has been separate from other offices, and the same is true of 
the office of register of wills since 1828. From 1836 to the pres- 
ent time the office of prothonotary has been separate from others, 
and the offices of clerk of the Orphans' Court and of the Courts 
of Quarter Sessions and Oyer and Terminer have been filled by 
the same person. 

PROTHONOTARY. 

Previous to 1777 the prothonotary was generally the clerk 
of the Quarter Sessions and of the Oi-plians' Court. Robert Asshe- 



456 CHESTER COUNTY 

ton was commissioned protlionotary in 1712; Joseph Parker, pro- 
thonotary and cleric of the peace, in 1733, and Ilenrj- Hale 
Graham, prothonotarj-, clerk of the Courts and recorder, in 1770. 
Since 1777 the prothonotary has been as follows: 

Benjamin Jacobs, March 22, 1777, to April 4, 1777; Caleb 
Davis, appointed June 20, 1777; William Gibbons, appointed in 
1791; Daniel Heister, January 6, 1800; Jesse John, February 1, 
1809; John G. Wersler, March 25, 1818; Thomas Davis, February 
29, 1821; William Williamson, Januai-y 17, 1821; David Town- 
send, August 3, 1827; Dr. William Darlington, August 17, 1827; 
John W. Cunningham, February 15, 1830; Benjamin I. Miller, 
January 26, 1836; Samuel Pinkerton, appointed February 2, 1839, 
elected under Constitution of 1838, and commissioned November 
4, 1839; Abner M. Chamberlain, November 12, 1812; James Davis, 
November 17, 1845; Samuel B. Thomas, November 25, 1848; Wil- 
liam Wollerton, November 22, 1851; James Bayard Jefferis, No- 
vember 10, 1854; Jacob Gillough, November 10, 1857; Emmor B. 
Lamborn, November 19, 1860; Franklin Haines,- November 16, 
1863; Alfred Kupert, November 10, 1866; Seneca G. Willauer, No- 
vember 20, 1869; John A. Rupert, November 19, 1872; Hannum 
Baldwin, December 28, 1875; James Lynch, December 28, 1878; 
Davis K. Loomis, in 1881; Jeremiah T. Carpenter, in 1884; William 
P. Snyder, in 1887; David C. Windle in 1890; Elisha G. Cloud, in 
1893, and E. D. Baldwin, the present incumbent, in 1896. 

REGISTERS OP WILLS. 

Previous to 1714 all wills made in Chester County were taken 
to the office of the register-general in Philadelphia and there filed. 
In 1712 an act of assembly directed the appointment of deputies 
in each county; but even such appointments were made many 
wills from Chester County, especially from the northeastern part, 
continued to be taken to Philadelphia, almost down to the time of 
the Revolution. Following are the names of the deputy-register.s 
for Chester County for the times given: 



AXD ]TS PEOPLE. 



467 



John Simcork, from 1714 to May, 1716. 

Joseph Parker, August 14, 1716, to Jauuarj- 12, 1759. 

Henry Hale Graham, March 5, 1759, to February 13, 1777. 

Following is a list of the Kegisters of Wills from March '2~>, 
1777, to the present time, together with the dates of their several 
commissions: 



Thomas Taylor, MarcJi 25, 1777. 
John Beaton, Ajn'il 6, 1782. 
Persifor Frazer, April 8, 178)5. 
Stephen Jloylau, April 7, 1792. 
John Hannum, Dec. 13, 1793. 
Richard M. Hannum, December 

6, 1798. 
John Christie, January 6, 1800. 
James Bones, Feb. 22, 1804. 
John Smith, January' 12, 1806. 
Charles Kenny, Jan. 12, 1809. 
Jesse Sharp, March 25, 1818. 
Daniel Heister, Feb. 28, 1821. 
Joseph Pearce, Jan. 17, 1824. 



Alexander Leslie, November 22, 

1851. 
Hickman James, November 10, 

1854. 
Araariah Strickland, November 

10, 1857. 
Dr. Charles L. Seal, November 

10, 1860. 
George C. M. Eicholts, Novem- 
ber 17, 1S63. 
Hampton S. Thomas, November 

14, 1866. 
Levi G. McCauley, Nov. 20, 

1869. 



Eber Worthingtou, April 23, Lewis H. Evans, Nov. 19, 1872. 

1828. George H. Paxton, December 

Robert Ralston, Feb. 15, 1830. ' 28, 1875. 

Nimrod Strickland, April 20, William S. Underwood, Decem- 

1833. ber 30, 1878. 

James Walker, Jan. 26, 1836. 1881, B. Frank Widdicombe. 

Jesse Coulson, Feb. 2, 1839. B. Tevis Hoopes, in 1884. 

George W. Parke, November Nathan J. W^aitneight, in 1887. 

12, 1842. Frank A. Thomas, in 1890. 

Henry Buckwalter, November Jesse J. Hickman, in 1893, and 

17, 1845. William Eachus, the present 

William Baker, Nov. 25, 1848. incumbent, in 1896. 



RECORDERS OP DEEDS. 

The first deed recorded in Chester County was a grant from 
Urin Keen for a lot on which stood Chester ileeting-honse, the 
date of the deed being March 1, 1688, and "Inrooled" on the 10th 
of the same month. There were but few documents recorded pre- 
vious to July 1, 1688. Following is a list of those who ha-e held 
the office of recorder of deeds from 1688 to 1898: 



468 



CHESTER COUNTY 



John Bi'istow, about March 10, Joshua Fearne, March 25, 1691.. 

IfiSS. John Chikle, January 3, l(i95. 

Robert Eyre, March 26, 1693. Teter Erans, April 17, 1706. 
Henry Holling.sworth, October 

10,' 1700. 

John Simcock, January 28, 1707, and on the 24th of Febru- 
ary, 1707-08, his commission was read in open court. At the ses- 
sion of the assembly of 1714-15 an act was passed, making the 
prothonotary or county clerk of Chester County the recorder of 
deeds until he should be removed by the Court of Quarter Ses- 
sions, his bond being fixed at £200. At this time John Bimcock, 
who, it will have been seen, filled at one time or another most of 
the offices in the county, was still recorder of deeds, and it is 
thought he was succeeded in 1716 by George Yeates, he being clerk 
of the courts in 1717. Eichard Marsden, who was employed in the 
office as clerk as early as 1716, was either clerk or deputy clerk 
from 1719 to 1723, and in 1724 Joseph Parker became clerk 
and continued in office until 1766, when he died. Henry Hale 
Graham then became recorder and held the office until 1777. 
Since then the following persons have held the office, the dates 
of their commissions being given in connection with their names: 



Thomas Taylor, March 25, 1777. 
Persifor Frazer, April 8, 1786. 
John Haunum, Dec. 13, 1793. 
John Beaton, April 6, 1782. 
Stephen Moylau, April 7, 1792. 
Richard M. Hannum, December 

6, 1798. 
John Christie, January 6, 1800. 
James Bones, Feb. 22, 1804. 
John Smith, January 12, 1806. 
Charles Kenny, Jan. 12, 1809. 
Jesse Sharp, March 25, 1818. 
Daniel Hiester, Feb. 28, 1821. 
Kimrod Strickland, February 

15. 1830. 
Robert Ralston, April 29, 1833. 
Stephen Marshall, Jan. 17, 1831. 



Edwai-d Bartholomew, January 
26, 1836. 

George Hartman, Feb. 2, 1839. 

Abner Williams, Xov. 12, 1842. 

^\'illiam McCullough, Novem- 
ber 17, 1845. 

Edward H. Hibbard, Nov. 25, 
1848. 

Thomas Walter, Nov. 22, 1851. 

Robert F. Hoopes, Nov. 10, 1854. 

Thomas S. Taylor, Nov. 10, 1857. 

Jonas G. Bossart, Nov. 19, 1860. 

David Andrews, Nov. 17, 1863. 

Dilwyn Parker, Nov. 14, 1866. 

John A. Groff, Nov. 20, 1869. 

C. Burleigh Hambleton, Novem- 
ber 19, 1872. 



"^AND ITS PEOPLE. 469 

Edwin Bateman, Dec. 22, 1875." Hugh Kenwortliy, Jr., iu 1880, 
Franklin P. Ash, Dec. 18, 1877. and 

Harry Sloyer, Dee. 13, 1880. Samuel Ivison, Jr., in 1892. 

Kichard H. Plank, in 1883. Thomas D. Grover, the present 
Sharpless M. Paxson, in 188G. incumbent, in 1895. 

CLERK OF COURTS. 

The tirst sitting of the Upland Court, f)f which there is any 
record, was held November 4, 167G, and at this time it was ordered 
that Mr. William Tom, the former "clarke," should deliver unt<j 
the clerk at that time, Ephraim Herman, the records and other 
jjublic books and writings belonging to the court. 

Since March 1, 1G81, the date of the charter for Pennsylvania, 
the following have been clerks of courts: 

Thomas Eevell, September 13, 1681, to August 22, 1083; Octo- 
ber 17, 1683, to December, 1689; Joshua Fearne, September, 1600, 
to April 18, 1693; John Childe, June 13, 1693, to March, 1699-1700; 
Henry Hollingsworth, June 11, 1700, to February 22, 1708-09; John 
Simcock, May 24, 1709, to about 1716; George Yeates, 1717; Eichard 
Marsden, clerk or deputy, 1719 to 1723; Joseph Parker, 1724 to 
about 1766; Henry Hale Graham, 1766 to 1777. 

Since that time the dates of the commissions of those holding 
office have been as follows: 

Caleb Davis, clerk of all the courts, July 1, 1777; William 
Gibbons, the same, 1791; Daniel Hiester, the same, January 6, 
1800; Jesse John, same, February 1, 1809; John G. Wersler, same, 
March 25, 1818; Thomas Davis, of Oyer and Terminer, February 
28, 1821 ; Henry Fleming, of Orphans' Court and Quarter Sessions, 
February 28, 1821; William ^Mlliamsou, Oyer and Terminer and 
Quarter Sessions, January 17, 1824; Joseph Pearce, Orphans' 
Court, January 17, 1824; Jose]>h Pearce, Orphans" Court, Decem- 
ber 21, 1826; David Towusend, Oyer and Terminer and Quarter 
Sessions, August 3, 1827; Dr. William Darlington, Oyer and Ter- 
miner and Quarter Sessions, August 17, 1827; Simeon Siegfried, 



470 CHESTER COUNTY 

Orphans' Coui't, April 23, 1828; John W. Cunningham, Oyer and 
Terminer and Quarter Sessions, February 15, 1830; George Fisher, 
Orphans' Court, Februai-y 15, 1830; John W. Cunningham, Oyer 
and Terminer and Quarter Sessions, April 29, 1833; George Fisher, 
Orphans" Court, April 29, 1833; P. Frazer Smith, Orphans' Court, 
May 2, 1835; Horatio G. AVon-all, of all the courts, January 26, 183G; 
James M. Kinnard, of all the courts, Febi'uary 2, 1839; James M. 
Kinnard, elected and commissioned November 14, 1839; Oheyney 
Nields, commissioned November 12, 1812; Alexander Marshall, 
November 17, 1845; Thomas P. William, November 25, 1848; James 
Sweney, November 22, 1851; Thomas W. Parker, November 10, 
1854; Addis M. Ayars, November 10, 1857; Thomas P. Evans, 
November 19, 1860; Thomas H. Windle, November 17, 1863; James 
E. McFarlan, November 16, 1866; William H. Guie, November 20, 
1869; James H. Wyun, November 19, 1872, died October 31, 1874; 
William W. Scott, appointed to the vacancy, February 17, 1875; 
William W. Scott, elected in November, 1875, commissioned 
December 22, 1875; Pierce Hoopes, Jr., December 30, 1878; Edvrard 
Paist, in 1881; Davis O. Taylor, in 1884; Thomas W. Taylor, in 
1887; H. Morgan Kuth, in 1889; Elias Pair, in 1893, and E. Jones 
Patrick, the present clerk, in 1896. 

SHERIFFS. 

The Dutch, while they exercised jurisdiction on the Delaware, 
had an officer which they called a "schuut," who performed offices 
similar to those of a sheriff under the English system of govern- 
ment. And Governor Lovelace granted a commission to Hennan 
Frederickson as schout at the Hoare-Kill, and notwithstanding 
that at a council held at Fort James May 17, 1672, it was agreed 
that the office*of schout should be converted into that of a sheriif 
for the corporation, and that the sheriff should be chosen annually, 
yet the name was not dropped, for on August 1, 1672, Governor 
Lovelace signed the following order: 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 4/1 

"Upon the return of a double number from the inhabitants at 
the Whorekill, in Delaware Bay, for Schout and Comisary, I do 
approve of Hermans Frederick Wilbank to be Schout, and of Ottho 
Wolgast, William Claessen, and Isaac Savo to be Comisarys for 
the space of one year ensuing, after Avhich time they are to make 
a new return." 

And as Edmond Cautwell was one of the two persons returned 
to the Governor of whom to choose the high sheriff, Mr. Cantwell 
was chosen for that office, and appointed to be high sheriff in place 
of the schout, and he was to enjoy all the perquisities and priv- 
ileges of a schout. This appointment was made August 2, 1672. 

Captain Cantwell was also authorized to receive the arrears of 
rents, in the place of William Tom, who had been commissioned 
receiver of quit-rents August 10, 1669, but had resigned. The 
Dutch having resumed control on the Delaware in 1673, Peter 
Alrichs Avas appointed schout; but this arrangement did not last 
more than a year before the English again became rulers on the 
Delaware and Captain Cantwell was appointed sheriff, serving 
from 1676 to 1681, when Governor Markham arrived and John Test 
became sheriff, and served until the arrival of William Penn. 

Under the "Charter of Privileges," granted by Penn in 1701, 
each county was authorized to present two persons to the proprie- 
tary for the office of sheriff, one of whom he was to commission for 
three years, which arrangement continued until the adoption of the 
Constitution of 1776, which provided that in each county two per- 
sons should be annually elected, one of whom should be commis- 
sioned by the President of the State. Under the constitution the 
commission to the sheriff was issued by the Governor for three 
years. Under the amended Constitution of 1838 one person was 
elected in each county. 

Following is a list of the sheriffs of Chester Countj', believed 
to be nearly correct, from 1676 to the present time: 



4/2 



CHESTER COUNTY 



Capt. Edmund Cantwell, 1670. 

John Test, lGSl-82. 

Thomas Usher, l(i82-83. 

Thomas Witliers, Dec, 1«jS3-S4. 

Thomas Usher, June, 108(5, to 
April, 1687. 

George Foreman, 1689 to W9'2. 

Joseph ^Vood, 1093 to 1697. 

John Hoskins, 1701 to 1708. 

John Hoskins, 1709. 

Nicholas Fairlamb, 1717 to 
1719. 

John Tavlor, 1721 to 1728. 

John Parry, 1732 to 1734. 

John Parry, 1738 to 1739 

John Ov.en, 1743 vo 174.j. 

John Owen, 1749 to 1751. 

John Fairlamb, 1755 to 1758. 

John Fairlamb, 1762 to 1703. 

John Morton, 170<) to 1768. 

Henry Hayes, 1772 to 1733. 

Ivobert Smith, 1777. 

Robert Smith, Xov. 21, 1778. 

John Gardner, October 19, 1780. 

Ezekiel Leonard, Oct. 13, 1786. 

Joseph McClellan, Oct. 13, 17D2. 

"\Mlliam Worthiugton, October 
13, 1798. 

James Kelton, October 21, 1801. 

Titus Taylor, October 22, 1807. 

Jesse Good, October 22, 1813. 

Samson Babb, October 21, 1819. 

Jonathan Jones, Oct. 29, 1825. 

Peter Osborne, Oct. 28, 1831. 

Jo.seph Taylor, Oct. 24, 1837. 

Nathan Frame, Nov. 1, 1843. 

James Bayard Wood, November 

7, 1844. 
David Bishop, Oct. 30, 1850. 
David McNutt, Oct. 20, 1856. 
Kees Welsh, Navember 7,- 1SG2. 

De Witt Clinton Lewis, Novem- 
ber 2, 1868. 
William B. Morrison, Jauuarv 
2, 1875. 



George E. Hoopes, Dec. 30, 1880. 
Benjamin Irey, in 1886; killed 

on his tirst day's work. 
William Gallagher, in 1887. 
Jeremy Collett, 1684-85. 
Joshua Fearne, 1687 to 1689. 
Caleb Pusey, 1692 to 1()93. 
Andrew Job, 1697 to iVirx. 
•John Simcock, 1708. 
Henry Worley, 1715. 
John Crosby, 1720. 
John Owen," 1729 to 1731. 
John Owen, 1735 to 1737. 
Benjamin Davis, 1740 to 1742. 
Benjamin Davis, 1746 to 1748. 
Isaac Pears(m, 17.52 to 1754. 
Benjamin Davis, 1759 to 1761. 
Philip Ford, 1764 to 1766. 
Jesse Maris, 1769 to 1771. 
Nathaniel Vernon, 1774 to 1775. 
( 'harles Dilworth, Oct. 17, 1778. 
David Mackey, October 16, 1779. 
^\'illiam Giblbons, Oct. 20, 1783. 
Charles Dilworth, Oct. 17, 1789. 
Ezekiel Leonard, Oct. 17, 1793. 
James Bones, April 17, 1801. 
Jesse John, October 16, 1704. 
George Hartman, Oct. 25, 1810. 
Cromwell Pearce, Oct. 19, 1816. 
Jesse Sharp, (October 15, 1822. 
Oliver Alison, October 30, 1828. 
Pobert Irwin, October 25, 1834. 
^^'illiam Bogers, Nov. 9, 1840. 
Clinton Frame, March 20, 1844. 
Brinton Darlington, October 21, 

1847. 
Lewis Heffelfiuger, November 

4, 1853. 

Jacob Heffeltinger, November 

5, 1859. 

Pusey J. Nichols, Nov. 3, 1865. 
Davis Gill, November 1, 1871. 
James E. McFarlau, December 

31, 1877. 
William Baker, in 1883. 



A^'D ITS PEOPLE. 



473 



George E. Hoopes, appointed iu Alexauder H. Ingram, in 1898. 

1887. Robert L. Hayes, the present in- 

James G. Parker, in 1S90. cumbeut, in 189G. 



The several coroners, or, as they were sometimes called in 
early days, the '"crowners," so far as has been ascertained, have 
been as follows since 1684: 

CORONERS. 



James Keuela, 1G81. 
Henry Worley, 1710. 
Robert Barber, October 1, 1721. 
Robert Parke, October 3, 1728. 
John Wharton, October 3, 1730. 
John Wharton, October i, 1734. 
Aubrey Bevau, October 4, 1738. 
Joshua Thomson, Oct. 3, 1751. 
Joshua Thomson, Oct. 3, 1753. 
Davis Bevau, October 4, 17G3. 
John Trapnall, May 27, 1760. 
John Crosby, Jr., Oct. 5, 1771. 
David Denny, Nov. 21, 1778. 
Benjamin Rue, October 12, 1782. 
Isaac Thomson, Oct. 14, 1785. 
John Underwood, Oct. 15, 1787. 
James Bones, Dec. 19, 1794. 
Jacob Righter, Nov. 4, 1800. 
Ephraim Buffiugtou, October 

31, 1805. 
Joseph Pearce, Dec. 2, 1811. 
Joel C. Bailey, October 23, 1817. 
Emmor Bradley, Nov. 25. 1823. 
Davis Brooke, Nov. 5, 1829. 
Thomas Ervin, Nov. 6, 1835. 
Hezekiah Jackson, in 1841. 
Thomas Walker, iu 1847. 
Hashabiah Cleuious, in 1853. 
Benjamin F. Smith, iu 1859. 
William H. Turner, in 1869. 
Joseph B. Smith, in 1872. 
Barclay Lear, in 1878. 
Ernest" White, in 1884 and 1887. 



C. G. Troutman, the present in- 
cumbent, in 1896. 

Jacob Simcock, 1696. 

Henry Holliugsworth, 1707. 

Jonas Saudelands, commission 
dated October 3, 1717. 

John Meudeuhall, Oct. 4, 1726. 

Abraham Darlington, October 
4, 1729. 

Anthony Shaw, October 8, 1732. 

Stephen Hoskins, Oct. 4, 1737. 

Isaac Lee, October 4, 1746. 

Joliu Kerlin, October 4, 1752. 

Philip Ford, May 22, 1761. 

Abel Jauuey, October 4, 1765. 

Joseph Gibbons, Jr., October I, 
1768. 

Johu Bryau, October 4, 1773. 

Allen Cuuuiugham, October 19, 
1780. 

Johu Harper, October 20, 1783. 

Johu Harjjer, October 18, 1786. 

Xatliau Scholtield, O.ctober 17, 
1789. 

Josliua Weaver, Julv 16, 1798. 

L'obert Miller, October 27, 1803. 

Jacob Righter, Dec. 8, 1808. 

Jesse McCall, Dec. 15, 1814. 

Emmor Bradley, Nov. 9, 1820. 

Authouy W. Olwine, 1826. 

Bvmjamiu J. Passmore, Novem- 
ber 3, 1833. 

William Taggart. Oct. 30, 1S3S. 



474 CHESTER COUNTY 

Daniel Kields, in 1844. William V. Eambo, 1875. 

David Williams, in 1850. William Mercer, in 1881. 

Robert McNeely, in 1856. J. Jones McFadger, in 1890 and 
Joseph W. Barnard, appointed 1898. 

in 1862, and elected in 1863 

and in 1866. 

Of the above-named coroners it is proper to note that John 
Harper was in olHce when the county-seat was removed from 
Chester to West Chestei", an account of which is presented in 
another portion of this Avork, and that he M'as opposed to the 
removal, because he had property in Chester and natural!}' pre- 
ferred to remain there. It is also said that he had command of 
the belligerent forces that came over to the Turk's Head, with 
the view of demolishing the county buildings then in course of 
erection. Afterward he removed to West Chester, and for some 
time kept the famous Turk's Head Hotel. 

COMMISSIONERS. 

It is probable that the officers called "commissioners," in the 
early history of the county, performed duties somewhat different 
from those performed by the county commissioners of the present 
time. The earliest legislation found regarding commissioners was 
an act passed February 28, 1710-11, entitled "An act empowering 
commissioners to compel the collection of all arrearages of former 
taxes, of which the following language is a part: 

"Be it enacted by the honorable Charles Gookin, Esquire, by 
the Queen's Royal approval Lieutenant-Governor under the hon- 
orable William Penn, Esquire, absolute proprietary and governor- 
in-chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, etc., and by and with the 
advice and consent of the freemen of the said Province in general 
assembly met, and by the authority of the same, that in each re- 
spective county. of this Province the persons hereafter named shall 
be commissioners for putting this act into execution: That is to 
say * * * for the county of Chester, Nathaniel Xewlin, Rich- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 475 

ard Webb and Isaac Taylor, who are hereby empowered and 
required to meet together on the 13th day of the month of March, 
1710, at the place where the respective courts of the county are 
held," that is, at the county seat, and they were empowered to call 
before them all collectors and receivers and all other officers and 
persons whatsoever who had been employed in the assessing, levy- 
ing and gathering the rates and assessments aforesaid, and to 
cause them and every one of them to make and give a true and 
perfect account of all and every the aforesaid rates and assess- 
ments, etc. 

On the same day an act was passed entitled, "An act for rais- 
ing a supply of two pence per pound and eight shillings per head," 
under which for Chester County Jasper Yeates, Caleb Pusey, 
Nicholas Pile and Henry Peirce, or any two of them, were ap- 
pointed to put the act into execution. 

An act was passed February 22, 1717-18, entitled, "An act 
for the more eilectual raising of the county rates and levies," ap- 
parently never submitted to the consideration of the crown, under 
which for the County of Chester, David Lloyd, Nathaniel Newlin, 
John Wood and Henry Miller were appointed commissioners to 
put the act into execution; and still later an act was passed, 
March 20, 1721-25, which was apparently not considered by the 
Crown, entitled, "An act for raising the county rates," which pro- 
vided "that the present commissioners for putting the said act into 
execution together with the assessors of the respective counties of 
Philadelphia, Chester and Bucks, now in being, shall continue in 
their several places and execute the powers and authorities given 
and required of them by the same acts for and during all the time 
they were respectively appointed to serve according to the direc- 
tion of those acts." 

The duties of commissioners in the first place was probably 
the same as those performed by justices and the grand jury, and 
later by the grand jury and assessors. It is also probable that 



476 CHESTER COUXTY 

four comiiiissiouers were elected t<i serve oue year, for iu January, 
1721-22, when a supplementary tax bill was uuder consideration 
it was ordered that the three eldest commissioners in Philadelphia 
County, the two first named in Chester Couut}' and the first named 
in Bucks County, should be discharged on ►September 30, 1722, 
and that on October 1, that year, one commissioner should be 
elected to take their places. 

A petition from Chester ("ounty was read February 28, 1721-22, 
praying that the county levy might be repealed, or that three 
commissioners might be elected yearly. On March 1 (the next 
day), petitions from the other counties were read, and the bill was 
read for the third time. And it was enacted that three commis- 
sioners should be elected annually on October 1. The act as 
finally passed enacted that one commissioner should be elected 
annually. And the act referred to above, passed March 20, 
1724-25, provided that the newly elected commissioner and the 
assessors should take the following qualification of oath: 

"Thou Shalt well and truly cause the county debts to be 
speedily adjusted and the rates and sums of money by virtue of 
this act imposed, to be duly and equally assessed and laid accord- 
ing to the best of thy skill and knowledge; and herein thou shalt 
spare no person for favor nor affection, nor grieve any for hatred 
nor ill-will." 

By this act the commissioners were required to issue precepts 
to the constables, requiring them to make return to the assessors 
of the names and estates of the inhabitants, and the assessors were 
required to lay the rates thereon. 

Following is a list of the commissioners since 1721, with the 
dates of their appointment or election: 

1721, David Lloyd, John Wood, Nathaniel Newlin, Henry 
Miller; 1722, Kobert Pyle; 1723, Nathaniel Xewlin; 1724, Samuel 
Hollingsworth; 1725, Kobert Pyle; 1726, Isaac Taylor; 1727, Wil- 
liam Webb; 1728, Henry Miller, Evan Lewis; 1729, Samuel Nutt; 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 477 

1730, Evan Lewis; 1731, Jacob Howell; 1732, Samuel Lewis; 1733, 
George Aston; 1734, John Davis; 1735, Eichard Jones; 1736, Sam- 
uel Lightfoot; 1737, John Parry, Jr.; 1738, William Jefferis; 1739, 
John Davis; 1740, John Parry, Jr.; 1741, John Yaruall; 1742, .John 
Davis; 1743, Jacob Howell; 1744, Joseph Mendenhall; 1745, John 
Davis; 1746, Thomas Pennell; 1747, Joshua Thompson; 1748, Isaac 
Davis; 1749, Thomas Pennell; 1750, Edward Brinton, Samuel Bun- 
tinm, vice Thomas Pennell, deceased; 1751, William Lewis; 1752, 
John Fairlamb; 1753, Robert Miller; 1754, Thomas Pearson; 1755, 
Jo.seph Ashbridge; 1756, Joseph Davis; 1757, Joseph James; 1758, 
John Hannum; 1759, Jonas Preston; 1760, Joseph Pennock; 1761, 
John Griffith; 1762, Lewis Davis; 1763, John Brice; 1764, Ben- 
jamin Bartholomew; 1765, Richard Baker; 1766, John Davis; 1767, 
Robert Pennell; 1768, John Webster; 1769, John Evans; 1770, 
Jesse Bonsall; 1771, Robert Mendenhall; 1772, John Fleming; 
1773, Thomas Levis; 1774, Thomas Taylor; 1775, William Evans; 
1776, Sketchley Morton; 1777, David Cloyd; 1778, Andrew Boyd; 
1779, Benjamin Braunau; 1780, John Bartholomew; 1781, Joseph 
Strawbridge; 1782, Caleb James; 1783, John Davis; 1784, Joseph 
McClellan; 1785, Caleb James; 1786, Caleb Xorth; 1787, John 
Worth; 1788, Joseph Gibbous; 1789, James Moore; 1790, Elijah 
McClenachan; 1791, John Mecham; 1792, Wiliam Trimble, Jr.; 
1793, Samuel Cochran; 1794, George Davis; 1795, George Miller; 
1796, James Kelton; 1797, William Rogers; 1798, Even Evans; 
1799, John Menough; 1800, Titus Taylor; 1801, John Riuehart; 
1802, John Ramsey; 1803, Thomas Taylor; 1804, James Lockhart; 
1805, John G. Parke; 1806, Joshua Gibbons; 1807, David Denny; 
1808, Jesse Good; 1809, William Evaus; 1810, David Wilson; 1811, 
James Ramsey; 1812, Eber Worthiugtou; 1813, David Townsend; 
1814, Alexander Chandler; 1815, Jesse Mercer; 1816, Samuel Bald- 
win; 1817, Maris Taylor; 1818, Joshua Weaver; 1819, Benjamin 
Thomas; 1820, Jesse Pugh; 1821, Isaac Trimble;. 1822, James Davis; 
1823, Abisha Clark; 1824, Ezra Cope; 1825, Joseph Hughes; 1826, 



4/8 CHESTER COUNTY 

Benjamin Parker; 1827, Isaac Thomas; 1828, Melchi Happersett 
1829, James Alexander; 1830, George Gregg; 1831, Evan Evans 
1832, Joseph Wood; 1833, Walker Yarnall (Eber Woi;thington ap 
pointed in place of George Gi'egg, deceased); 1834, John Malin 
1835, Alexander Correy; 1836, Elijah Lewis; 1837, John Beidler 
1838, John W. Passmore; 1839, Hibbard Evans; 1810, John Tem 
pleton; 1841, Hatton Mercer; 1842, John Worth; 1843, Mordecai 
Lee; 1844, Enos Pennock; 1845, Smith Sharpless; 1846, David 
Byerly; 1847, Daniel Thompson; 1848, John Hannum; 1849, Eees 
Welsh; 1850, Joel Thompson; 1851, Thomas Vendever; 1852, Jacob 
Kulp; 1853, Newton I. Nichols; 1854, Albert Way; 1855, William 
G. Martland; 1856, Joseph Russell; 1857, Titns W. Gheen; 1858, 
Benjamin Ilartman; 1859, Caleb Windle; 1860, Thomas Bateman; 
1861, Joseph G. King; 1862, Andrew Mitchell; 1863, Lorenzo Beck; 
1864, Levi H. Grouse; 1865, Thomas H. Charlton, by appointment 
to fill vacancy caused by Andrew MichelFs death, and in 1865, 
Thomas M. Charlton by election for three years; 1866, Joseph F. 
Hill; 1867, Joseph Doan; 1868, Washington Haggerty; 1869, C. 
Marshall Ingram; 1870, Nathan G. Grimm; 1871, Alfred Wood; 
1872, Matthew Barker; 1873, John Irey; 1874, David Ramsey; 
1875, David Ramsey, John Irey, John McWilliams; 1878, Jacob 
M. Zook, William M. Elliott, Edwin Otley; 18S1, Joseph T. Reyn- 
olds, Wellington C. James, Walter McFeat; 1884, Thomas Mercer, 
Samuel Whitson, G. Washington Beei'bower; 1887, Thomas Mer- 
cer, Samuel D. White, Ebenezer D. Johnson; 1890, Samuel D. 
White, J. Harrison Rennard, D. Morgan Cox; 1893, Davis W. En- 
trekin, R. Thomas Garrett, John S. Mullen ; 1896, R. Thomas Gar- 
rett, D. E. Chambers, Townsend Mouler. 

COUNTY TREASURERS. 

Following is a list of the county treasurers since 1695: 
1695, Jeremiah Collett; 1697, Walter Marten; 1704, Caleb 
Pusey; 1706, Walter Marten; 1720, Henry Pierce; 1724, Philip 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 481 

Taylor; 1740, Joseph Briuton; 175G, Robert Miller; 1761, Humphrey 
Marshall; 1765, Jesse Maris, Jr.; 1766, Lewis Davis; 1770, James 
Gibbons; 1775, Philip Taylor; 1776, John Brinton; 1778, Thomas 
Levis; 1779, William Evans; 1780, Persifor Frazer; 1781, David 
Cloyd; 1785, Andrew Boyd and David Cloyd; 1786, William Evans; 
1788, Andrew Boyd; 1786, William Haslitt; 1791, John Hannum; 
1793, Elijah MeClanaohan; 1791, John Mecham; 1795, William 
Trimble; 1796, Samuel Cochran; 1797, George Davis; 1798, Robert 
Miller; 1799, James Kelton; 1801, Evan Evans; 1802, John Men- 
ough; 1803, Titus Taylor; 1804, William Worthington; 1806, John 
Rinehart; 1807, James Lockhart; 1808, John G. Parke; 1809, 
Joshua Gibbons; 1810, David Denny; 1811, Jesse Good; 1812, 
William Evans; 1813, David Wilson; 1814, John Ramsey; 1815, 
Eber Worthington; 1816, David Townsend; 1817, Alexander Chan- 
<ller; 1818, Jesse Mercer; 1819, Samuel Baldwin; 1820, Maris Tay- 
lor; 1821, Joshua Weaver; 1822, Benjamin Thomas; 1823, Jesse 
Pugh; 1824, Robert Miller; 1826, James Davis; 1827, Abisha Clark; 
1828, Ezra Cope; 1829, Joshua Hughes; 1830, Benjamin Parker; 
1832, Melchi Happersett; 1833, James Alexander; 1834, Abraham 
Darlington; 1835, Joseph B. Jacobs; 1837, William Embree; 1840, 
Samuel M. Painter; 1842, S. C. Jefferis; 1843, Samuel M. Paiter, 
appointed in place of S. C. Jefferis, deceased; 1844, Morgan Reese; 
1846, James M. Hughes; 1848, Samuel Davis; 1850, George W. 
Pearce; 1852, Henry Beidler; 1854, Samuel Wickersham; 1856, 
Townsend Walter; 1858, Charles Fairlamb; 1860, Joseph I. Tustin; 
1862, Reuben Bernard; 1864, C. H. Kinnard; 1866, John T. Potts; 
1868, Philip Price; 1870, Edwin Baker; 1872, Frank Shellady; 
1874, Jesse E. Phillips; 1875, John G. Moses; 1878, John H. Buck- 
waiter; 1881, Emmor G. Griffith; 1884, David Cope; 1887, Robert 
L. Hayes; 1890, Wilmer E. Pennypacker; 1893, Joel B. Pusey, and 
1896, E. Vinton Philips. 

The Prohibition County convention held meetings May 10, 
1898, with John Flint, chairman. They named Richard T. Ogden 
28 



482 CHESTER COUNTY. 

of Swarthmore, Delaware County, as their candidate for Con- 
gress, and the following executive committee was chosen: Ilarry 
L. Skeen, Downington; Granville Tyson, Spring City; James D. 
Peck, West Whiteland; J. H. Earp, Kennett Square; Dr. Levi 
Hoopes, West Chester; Rev. Alford Kelley, Frazer; J. H. Broom- 
all, Upper Oxford; Mordecai T. Bartram, Willistown, and J. E. 
Diverty, Pha?nixville. The convention expressed themselves as 
being in favor of Dr. Silas C. Swallow for Governor, and adopted 
the following platform: 

"We, the members of the Prohibition party of Chester County, 
Pennsylvania, in County Convention assembled, renewing our 
acknowledgment of and allegiance to Almighty God as the right- 
ful ruler of the universe, declare as follows : 

"First. We reaffirm our approval of the platform and declara- 
tions of the National and State Conventions. 

"Second. We declare ourselves as opposed to all forms of 
wrong everywhere, and hope suffering Cuba may gain her free- 
dom and independence, and that 6ur flag may soon cease to pro- 
tect the saloon and all other evils. 

"Third. We instruct the delegates to-day elected to the State 
Convention to use their best endeavor to secure the nomination 
of Eev. Dr. Silas C. Swallow for Go\ernor, believing he eminently 
represents the principles of the Prohibition party, and commands 
the entire respect and confidence of all good citizens of oiir State, 
to the end that his election would secure an honest and economical 
administration of State affairs." 

In closing this chapter on the politics of the county it is neces- 
sary to present the result of the Republican Convention held in 
West Chester, June 7, 1898. It is well known that the Repub- 
lican party in Pennsylvania is divided into two factions — Quay 
and Anti-Quay — and this is, of course, the case in each county. 
The convention was held in the opera-house and was under the 
control of the Quay faction. The ticket nominated was as follows: 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 483 

Congress, Thomas S. Butler, West Chester; Legislature (East- 
ern District), D. Smith Talbot, West Chester; Northern District, 
William P. Corwell, East Coventry; Western District, James G. 
Fox, Cain Township; Southern District, Evan B. Evans, Penn 
Township; Eecorder of Deeds, Oscar E. Thomson, Phoenixville; 
Director of the Poor, Samuel Wickersham (Anti-Quay), New Gar- 
den, and county surveyor, Walter A. McDonald, West Chester. 

Following is the platform adopted by this convention: 

First. The Republican party of Chester County at the 
convention assembled ratifies and reaffirms the doctrines enun- 
ciated by the Republican National platform adopted at St. Louis 
in 1896 and the Republican State platform adopted in ITarrisburg 
in 1898. 

Second. We declare our emphatic approval of the wise and 
patriotic course of President McKinley in his general administra- 
tion of the affairs of the Government, and we pledge to the admin- 
istration and to Congress our universal support in the wise and 
proper course which they are pursuing in the defense of humanity 
and the honor of the nation. 

Third. We congratulate Pennsylvania's representatives in 
the United States Senate and our member of Congress from the 
Sixth Pennsylvania District upon the support which they are giv- 
ing to the National Adminstration during this critical period. 

Fourth. We congratulate the Republican State Convention 
upon its selection of standard bearers of unimpeachable personal 
character and worth to lead the party to victory in the coming 
campaign and pledge to the Republican party the usual majority 
from Chester County. 

I'OPULATION OF CHESTER COUNTY. 

The following table shows the population of the county from 
1790 to 1890, both years inclusive, according to the various cen- 
suses: 



484 CHESTER COUNTY 

Year. White. Colored. Total. 

1790 27,249 688 27,937 

1800 30,902 1,191 32,093 

1810 37,775 1,821 39,596 

1820 41,710 2,741 44,451 

1830 47,911 2,999 50,910 

1840 53,372 4,143 57,535 

1850 61,215 5,223 66,438 

1860 68,671 5,907 74,578 

1870 71,569 6,233 77,802 

1880 76,402 7,073 83,475 

1890 81,695 7,682 89,377 

According to the Census of 1830 there were then five slaves 
in Chester County, three of whom were under twenty-eight years 
of age. This was somewhat of a surprise to a portion of the people, 
although it need not to have been, for from 1780 to 1830 was only 
fifty years, and in 1780 there were slaves that were very young, 
one at least that was only one month old, and female slaves of 
this age in 1780 might have become mothers late enough to have 
had children not yet twenty-eight years old in 1830. 

Following is the census table for the townships, boroughs 
and a portion of the villages of the county in 1880 and 1890: 

Townships, etc. 1880. 1890. . 

Atglen 347 397 

Birmingham 503 458 

East Bradford 1,480 1,043 

West Bradford 1,620 1,281 

East Brandywine 1,011 995 

West Bradford 874 723 

Cain 863 1,053 

East Cain 539 256 

West Cain 1,275 1,146 

Charlestown 902 790 

Coatesville 2,766 3,680 

East Ward 1,426 

Middle Ward 1,630 

West Ward 624 

East Coventry 1,259 1,219 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 485 

Township, etc. 1880 1890. 

North Coventry 1,441 1,605 

South Coventry 569 495 

DowuingtoAvn 1,480 1,920 

East Ward 872 

West Ward 1,048 

Easttown 845 1,082 

Elk 830 789 

East Fallowfield 1,461 1,505 

West Fallowfleld 1,048 1,039 

Franklin 966 791 

East Goshen 724 684 

West Goshen 1,133 1,111 

Highland 896 910 

Honeybrook Township, including 

borough 1,849 1,876 

Honeybrook Borough 470 514 

Hopewell 216 213 

Kennett Square 1,021 1,326 

Kennett 1,247 1,185 

London Britain 621 607 

Londonderry 727 671 

Londongrove 2,148 2,613 

Malvern 641 

East Marlborough 1,337 1,327 

West Marlborough 1,146 1,041 

New Garden 1,942 2,126 

Newlin 779 680 

New London 891 789 

East Nantmeal 936 837 

West Nantmeal 1,027 995 

East Nottingham 1,351 1,305 

West Nottingham 864 817 

Oxford 1,502 1,711 

Lower Oxford 1,429 1,384 

Upper Oxford 1,696 1,096 

Parkesburg 817 1,514 

Pennsburv '795 773 

Peun ..." 739 632 

PhoE-nixvilie 6,682 8,514 

Ward 1 1,801 

Ward 2 1,086 

Ward 3 2,127 

Ward 4 1,724 

Ward 5 :... 1,176 



486 CHESTER COUNTY 

Township, letc. 1880. 1890. 

Pooopson 5G4 513 

East Pikeland 80i 823 

West Pikeland 1,005 664 

Sadsbury 749 843 

West Sadsbury 693 774 

Scliuylkill 1,416 1,254 

Spring City 1,112 1,797 

Tliornbury 262 251 

Tredyffrin 1,975 2,549 

Upper Uwclilan 848 824 

Uwclilan 698 684 

Valley 1,072 1,187 

East Vincent 1,252 1,285 

West Vincent 1,238 1,081 

Wallace 711 662 

Warwick 1,267 1,487 

ATest Chester 7,046 8,028 

East Ward 2,157 

Northward 1,324 

South Ward 2,314 

West Ward 2,233 

Westtown 848 895 

East Whiteland 1,273 1,157 

West Whiteland 1,345 1,096 

Willistown, together with Malvern. 1,620 1,390 



CHAPTER XII. 

ROADS. 



CHAPTER XII. 

ROADS — INDIAN TRAILS THE FIRST — THE UPLAND COURT'S ORDER OLO 

METHOD OF MAKING ROADS — PETITIONS, ETC. MANY ROADS VIEWED — 

ROAD DISTRICTS BRIDGES AND FERRIES — TURNPIKES — TAVERNS 

AND TOLL HOUSES PLANK ROADS STAGE ROUTES — 

RAILROADS — LEGISLATIVE ACTS CANALS — CHAR- 
TERS THE FIRST TRACKS — RIVAL PRO- 
JECTS SUBSEQUENT RAILWAYS. 

THE making of roads in any country is a matter of great 
importance. In the United States good roads have, as a matter of 
necessity, come slowly, because of the great extent of the country^ 
of the jjoverty of the people and the great cost of such highways. 
The first roads in the country wei*e the Indian trails, and in many 
cases more modern roads, even the railroads, have, to a consider- 
able extent, followed the ancient paths of the Eed Man. 

Early in the history of Chester County the question of the 
laying out and the establishment of better roads attracted the at- 
tention of the authorities. In 1678 the court at Upland ordered 
that every person should, T\ithin two months, so far as his land 
reached, make good and passable ways from neighbor to neighbor,, 
with bridges wliere they were needed, to the end that neighbors 
might on occasion come together. Those who failed to comply 
with this order were to forfeit twenty-five guilders. 

Later the manner of making roads was pi*escribed, and was 
in effect as follows: That the road should be made clear of stand- 
ing and lying trees, and to be at least ten feet wide; stumps ami 
shrubs to be cut close to the ground, and sufficient bridges to be 
be made over all marshy and difficult places. The earliest ap- 

489 



490 CHESTER COUNTY 

pointment of overseers of roads, or supervisors, was made October 
13, 1680, and the court, under the government of William Penn, 
continued to appoint overseers of roads and fence-viewers for dif- 
ferent precincts and townships until 1(392, when the authority to so 
appoint these officers Avas conferred upon the townships them- 
selves. 

In the early days of the Province public roads were laid out 
by the grand jury, which was continued until 1699, and after this 
time the practice was that six persons were appointed by tln^ 
court upon application. The first appointment of this kind was on 
December 12, 1699, and the first report of a jury specially ap- 
pointed by the court was made in December, 1700. This jury was 
composed of .John Worrell, Kandall Malin, William Edwards, 
(reorge Smedley, Ivobert Pennell and Daniel Hoopes. 

In 1703, upon the petition of Humphrey Ellis, Daniel Lewis 
iind fifty-eight others, to the Council, that council appointed Sam- 
uel Kichardson, David Lloyd, Kowland Ellis, William Howell, 
William Jenkins and Eichard Thomas to view certain roads which 
had been laid out, and to survey and lay out one direct road fifty 
feet wide leading from ^Villiam Powell's ferry on Schuylkill ai^d 
passing Haverford Meeting-house to the principal part of Goshen 
Township, and thence continued in a direct course to the up]>er 
settlements on the Brandywiue. 

In 1716 a petition Avas presented for a road leading from the 
-west side of William Fleming's laud to Cain Mill, and thence to 
William Brinton's in Birmingham, and James Gibbons, Bichard 
Woodward, John Yearsley, Kichard Thomas, Thomas James and 
David Davis were appointed to view. In 1717 a road was laid out 
from Ellis Lewis' mill southeast to the county line. And the same 
year a road was laid out from the land of Grittith Owen on King's 
Road from Goshen to Edgemont and Che.ster, 8. 60 E. 80; east 
a little south through Owen and George Ashbrldge, 440 perches 
to mill; thence through Ashbridge, William Hudson, in Willis- 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 491 

town, Thomas Garrett, east and east by north, 352 perches to road 
from mill to Chester, and across to corner of Thomas Garrett's 
laud and Samuel LeAvis' land, 00 perches E. ^ N., between Lewis 
and Thomas James, and through James and Thomas Mary, 220; 
east somewhat southerly to road from Chester to Valley, 100 
perches to end of road formerly laid out from Newtown to Phihi- 
delphia. Also in the same year a road was laid out from Joseph 
Pennock's to west end of Marlborough Street, and aloug the same 
1,120 perches, and then north 52 east, along Thomas Wicker- 
sham's and Moses Key's land 132 perches to road running from 
Henry Hayes' to Brandywiue Creek. 

lu 1717-18 a road was laid out from John Mendenhall's in th<' 
valley to the forks of the Brandywine, by way of Edward Clayton, 
George Carter, Abraham Marshall, Thomas Buflington, William 
Buffington, William Baldwin and Jacob Taylor. 

In 1719 a road was laid out from Goshen to I'hiladelphia, 
commencing at the intersection of the Goshen Mill IJoad with 
the Pro\ idence Boad, this road passing by what had been know u 
as the "Old Square," in Newtown Township, and a short distance 
be3'ond that point it entered the great road leading to Philadel- 
phia. 

In 1736 a road was laid out from the Susquehanna, near the 
house of John Hari'is, and falling into Conestoga Old Eoad near 
Edward Kinnison's in Whiteland, passing near Uwchlan Meeting- 
house, and was about GS| miles in length. 

According to S. W. Pennypacker, in his "Phoenixville and 
Vicinity," "An early road entered the township at the French 
Creek Bridge, and pursued a southeasterly course until it reached 
the trail," this trail extending from the Indian village near the 
mouth of Pickering Ci-eek, to a large and permanent settlement 
•called Indiantown. In the other direction it passed over Green 
Hill, reaching the Schuylkill at the old fording place near Perk- 
iomen Junction. "It remained the only thoroughfare in that direc- 



493 CHESTER COUNTY 

tidu until a jury in 1735 opened a road on a line between the prop- 
erties of Coates and Starr. From the active participation of Sam- 
uel Nutt in obtaining and locating this road, it received and has 
since borne his name. 

"The road leading from the village of Chai'lestowu to the 
Fountain Inn and Starr's Ford, was opened in August, 1731, and 
at one time was called the 'Egypt Road,' because it connected two 
settlements, one in Chester County, the other in Philadelphia 
County, respectively honored with the suggestive names of Upper 
and Lower Egypt. 

"The White Horse Road, southward from tlie Ijong Ford, in 
the direction of Cedar Hollow, was laid out in the early days of 
the settlement to accommodate the residents of the valley on 
their way to the Schuylkill fisheries. 

"The road leadjng from Phoenixville northward to the Black 
Rock Bridge, was opened about the year 1730." 

On February 25, 1762, the county was divided into fifty-one 
districts, each township to be one road district. 

The following extract from a communication of Ziba Darling- 
ton to the Jeffersonian furnishes some interesting history con- 
nected with the laying out of the Street Road. 

"William Penn laid out a public road in Marlborough Town- 
ship, and named it Marlborough Street. It ran nearly, if not quite, 
straight its whole distance, a stretch of some live miles, beginning 
in the Pennsbury line, east of the present Red Line Tavern, and 
ending at Marlborough Friends' Meeting-house. 

The highway from the end of Market Street, Philadelphia, was 
laid out in sections, as settlements extended westward in the 
colony. It was not known as the Street Road. Long after these 
old colonial times and ways, in 1815, the Legislature of Penn- 
sylvania authorized a State road to be laid out from Market Street 
Bridge, Philadelphia, to McCall's Ferry on the Susquehanna 
River, (xovemor Snyder appointed John Thompson of Delaware 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 493 

County, Edward Darlington of Chester County, and Samuel Au- 
krim of Lancaster County, commissioners for sucii purpose. They, 
with their corps of target-bearer, chain-carriers, axnien and 
assistants, began the work at Market Street Bridge, but madv 
no change in the existing road thence to Marlborough Friends' 
Meeting-house. From thence to McCall's Fern- tjhe road laid 
out was pretty much a new one. Burr, a noted bridge-builder, 
had got the heavy timbers for the bridge at McCall's Ferrs- i-eady, 
and during the winter of 1815 moved them on the Ice to their 
position. The floor was not laid when the commissioners arrived 
there, and the target-bearer recollects walking out on the timbers 
over the Susquehanna Elver. The commissioners would have 
cut off an angle in the road at the Marlborough Meeting-house 
premises had it not been for an old burial ground; so the right 
angle turn there yet remains. 

"The Street Koad is the name applied to the highway from 
Market Street Bridge to McCall's Ferry, and got it from the old 
Marlborough Street of Penn." 

The above survey was made in 1815, John Thompson acting 
as surveyor, and Ziba Darlington of Chester County as target- 
bearer. 

At an early period a public road was laid out from Philadel- 
phia to Lancaster, which was known as the "Old Lancaster,'' or 
"Provincial" Eoad. In Chester County it passed the present Eagle 
Station on the Pennsylvania Railway, Paoli, Admiral Warren, 
White Horse, Moore's Mill, Ship, Cain Friends' Meeting-house, 
Wagon and Mariner's Compass. A portion of the bed of this 
roadis now occupied by the Lancaster Turnpike, but the greater 
portion is still used as an ordinary i^ublic road. 

The Swede's Ford Eoad ran from a fording over the Schuyl- 
kill just below Norristown, westward joining the old Lancaster 
Road in East Whiteland Township. The road known as the "Boot 
Road" ran from the ferry at Philadelphia by way of the "Boot 



494 CHESTER COUNTY 

Tavern,'* in Goslieu, to Moore's Mill (Downingtown). The Great 
Chester Road, running north from Chester, intersected this road 
at the "Boot," and is said to have been laid out on an old Indian 
trail. A road ran from Moore's Mill westward, a continuation 
of the Boot Eoad, crossed the west branch of the Brandywine 
near Coatesville, and Buck IJuu at Pomeroy, and running north- 
ward of the valley to the Gap. 

The Strasburg Koad dates from 1794 and was laid out at 
different times. Part of the original road is what is now known 
as "Goshen Street," forming the northern line of the borough of 
West Chester, and in its westward coiirse it unites with the pres- 
ent Strasburg Eoad at the foot of Black Horse Hill, in East Brad- 
ford, passing eastwardly by the residence of William P. Marshall 
and Fern Hill Station on the railway leading from West Chester 
to Frazer. 

The road from Wilmington to Beading, passing through West 
Chester, is a very old one, and there was a road running from 
Downingtown, by way of Waynesburg, to the Conestoga settle- 
ments. On the bed of this last mentioned road runs for a portion 
of its length the "Horseshoe Turnpike." The road from Philadel- 
phia by way of Concord, Chadd's Ford, Hamorton, Kenuett Square 
and New Loudon, and on to Baltimore, is also an old one, and 
was long a leading stage route between Philadelphia and the 
Southern States. There was also a road from Wilmington to the 
Pequea Valley, by the way of Hamorton, Unionville, Doe Bun, 
Ercildoun, Humphreyville and Sadsburyville. This last men- 
tioned road was intersected at Humphreyville by another road 
which led past Upper Octorara Church and the old Black Horse 
Tavern northward. The "Gap and Newport Koad" led from the 
"Gap" in Lancaster County to Newport, Delaware, and was long 
a leading road from Lancaster to Wilmington. 

There was a road leading from West Chester in a southwest 
direction, crossing the Brandywine at Jefferis Ford, Avhich was 



AXD /7'.s' PEOPLE. 495 

known as the "Oil-mill Eoad," fpom an oil-mill which stood on a 
farm lately owned by EdA\iu James. This road was superseded 
by a State road laid out in 1830 from New Hope, on the Delaware 
River, through Doylestown, Norristown, West Chester, Unionville, 
White Horse and Oxford to the Maryland line. The "Limestone 
Eoad," in the western part of the county, which passes through 
Oxford, was at one time an old Indian trail. The Valley or Mc- 
Call's Ferry Koad, which runs from Parkesburg to McCall's Ferry, 
on the Susquehanna River, was authorized in 1809 by an act of 
the Assembly of the State. 

Much might be written on the history of early staging on all 
of these roads did space and time permit. A brief sketch of the 
first turnpike in the United States is here introduced. 

The Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike Road was the first 
of its kind constructed in America, and hence is worthy of special 
mention. It was in 1790 or 1791 that it was agreed in the Assembly 
of the State to cause a survey to be made between Philadelphia 
and Lancaster, with the view of ascertaining the most eligible 
route for a turnpike road between the two cities. A company 
was incorporated under the name of the "Philadelphia and Lan- 
caster Turnpike Road Company," April 9, 1792, and the eager- 
ness of people to subscribe for stock in this company was remark- 
able, it being necessary to resort to the drawing of lots in order 
to determine who should first subscribe. This road as it was 
constructed has a length in Chester County of thirty-six miles, 
nearly seventeen miles along the Great Valley. It was a very 
expensive undertaking, on account of the inexperience of the engi- 
neers. The entire length of the road is sixty-tAvo miles, and it was 
formed of three highways between its terminal points, the King's 
Highway of Lancaster County being extended to join the two lower 
sections. It was opened to travel in 1795 and immediately became 
the leading thoroughfare between Philadelphia and the West. 
The road was made of hard stones broken small, the pavement 



496 CHESTER COUNTY 

being twenty-four feet wide, eighteen inches thick in the middle 
and twelve inches thick at the sides. The cutting down of hills 
to the limits of four degrees elevation and the leveling of the 
platform was very expensive, the total cost of the road, including 
the construction of the bridges and aqueducts, being |465,000, or 
$7,500 per mile. For the first twenty-five or thirty years the cor- 
poration had at its head Mr. Ellison Perot, of Philadelphia. For 
many years the travel upon it was enormous, which is one of the 
strongest evidences of the value to the community of good roads. 
It was lined with public houses, these houses being in some parts 
of its course through Chester County not more than one mile 
apart. At night the yards of these public houses or taverns were 
filled with teams, the horses standing on each side of the wagon- 
tongue, on which a trough was placed for their feed. The team- 
sters spread their beds, which they carried with them, on the 
barroom floors or on the floors of other rooms. These taverns 
were usually conducted by their owners and were remarkable for 
their good order. 

But the glory of this great route of travel and of its hotels 
were doomed to disappear, for when the Pennsylvania Railroad 
went into operation about forty years after its construction, it 
took away the travel and the transportation of merchandise 
over this turnpike, and its income from tolls diminished and the 
number of its hotels as gradually, or perhaps it would be better 
to say as rapidly, decreased, until at the present time the use of 
the road is only local, and the traveler may pass over many a 
mile of it without seeing a single sign inviting him to refreshment 
or to rest. 

Other early turnpikes were as follows: The Downingtown, Eph- 
rata and Harrisburg, otherwise known as the Horseshoe Pike, char- 
tered March 24, 1803; the Gap and Newport, taking the place to a 
great extent of the old Gap and Newport Road, chartered April 7, 
1807; the Little Conestoga, running from the Philadelphia and Lan- 




^S^^M^, 



AND ITS PEOPLi:. 499 

caster Tiu'Ditike, near the Warren Tavern, to a point in Berks 
ConutT, Avliere the Reading Road intersects the Morgantown Road, 
chartered March Ifi, 1809. 

In 1811 a survey was made for a turnjjilce from the Phihidel- 
]ihia and Lancaster Turnpike at or near the twenty-sixth milestone 
through Westchester to Wilmington, laws being passed by both 
Pennsylvania and Delaware authorizing the work; but the people 
of Delaware declined to take stock in the enterprise and the people 
of Pennsylvania then felt justified in abandoning the project. The 
people of Delaware then constructed a turniiike from Wilmington 
to the State line, a distance of about six miles, in the direction of 
West Chester. 

The West Chester and Wilmington Plank Road Company was 
organized in 1854 and a plank road constructed from West Chester 
to Dilworthtown, and in 1858 this road was converted into a 
macadamized road. 

]Much of this information on early roads, with the exception 
of what is presented on the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike 
Road, has been derived from Judge Futhey's excellent "History 
of Chester County," due credit for which is thus given. 

In the early day there were the following stage routes ex- 
tending out of West Chester: 

One leading to Reading, over which a stage coach was run 
from West Chester every Tuesday, Tliursday and Saturday, and 
leaving Reading every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, by way 
of Oakland, Lionville, Eagle, Wallace, Loags, Morgantowni, Joanna 
Furnace and Beckersville, the fare to Reading being |2. Of this 
line John G. Dunwoody was proprietor in 1857. 

One to Cochran ville, leaving West Chester on the same days, 
and Cochranville also on the same days as the above, the fare to 
Cochranville being |1. Of this line Francis Conway was the ])ro- 
prietor in 1857. 

One to New Holland, lea\iug West Chester on the opposite 
29 



500 CHESTER COUNTY 

clays from the above, as well as New Holland, passiufi' Dowuiiig- 
towu, Gallagliei'ville, Brick, Brandywine Manor, Kockville and 
Waynesburg-, the fare each way being |1.87|, and the proprietor 
of the line being IJ. Fox. 

One to Wilmington, leaving both West Chester on every Tues- 
day, Thursday and Saturday, the fare to Wilmington being $1, the 
liro])rietor of this route being George Court, in 1S57. 

()ue to Philadelphia, leaving ^A'est Chester every morning, and 
leaving Philadelphia everj- afternoon, the fare each way being 
G2^ cents, and the proprietor being Stackhouse & Co., in 1S5T. 

RAILROADS. 

Chester County is well supplied with railroads. The Penn- 
sylvania Railroad passes through the county from east to west; 
the Wilmington and Northern Railroad, crosses it from north to 
south, passing down the valley of the Brandj'wiue; the 'West Ches- 
ter and Philadelphia. Railroad connects West Chester with Phila- 
del}diia, and the West Chester Railroad connects the latter rail- 
road with the Pennsylvania Railroad at Frazer. The Pennsyl- 
vania and Delaware Railroad runs from the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road at Pomeroy Station with Delaware City; the East Brandy- 
wine and Waj'nesburg Railroad runs from Downingtown nortii- 
westerly to Waynesbxirg; the Chester Valley Railroad runs from 
Downingtown eastAvard to Norristown; the Pickering Valley Rail- 
road runs from Uwchlan to Pho^nixville; the Wilmington and 
\V'estern Railroad connects Wilmington with the Pennsylvania 
and Delaware Railroad at Liindeuburg; the Reading Railroad 
passes along the eastern boundary of the county, and the Perkio- 
meu Railroad connects with the Reading Railroad between 
Phoenixville and Valley Forge. 

Previous to the introduction of the railroad in Chester County, 
travel and transportation across the county and the country were 



AND IT^ PEOPLE. 50 1 

principally by stages and wagons. Passengers and freight were 
carried from Philadelphia to Pittsburg and from Pittsburg to 
Philadelphia by means of these vehicles drawn by four or six 
horse teams, all owned by farmers of Chester and adjoining coun- 
ties. The wagons Avere large and high, on high wheels, strongly 
built, and covered over with canvas, supported by hickory hoops 
or bows. In this J^tate these vehicles were known as Conestoga 
wagons, while farther to the west they were frequently called 
Pennsylvania wagons, and are still thus referred to, though, as 
things of the past. .V half dozen or more teams were in those 
early days frequently seen traveling in company along the Lan- 
caster Pike, on which a line of four-horse stages was run, which 
became quite popular Avitli the traveling public and profitable to 
their owners. Tliis pike was almost invariably taken in fine 
weather when the roads were good; otherwise both stages and 
wagons would take the Strasburg Koad passing through West 
tliester. In addition to these two roads there were numerous 
others passing through West Chester. In addition to these two 
roads there were numerous others passing in different directions 
through the county, and at their intersections villages greAV up 
and postoflices were established. The trip from Philadelphia to 
Pittsburg and return usually occupied from four to six weeks, 
the average value of a trip one Avay was one hundred dollars, and 
in case a load was found from Pittsburg back to the east it was 
1150. 

About 1S23 the public mind began to be exercised over tlie 
question of railroads, but the ideas entertained as to what a rail- 
road was Avere not ahvays clear. From that time until 1828 sev- 
eral attempts were made to organize a company to build a rail- 
road to connect with the canals of the State, by Avhich means it 
was expected to form a through line for both passengers and 
freight from Philadelphia to Pittsburg; bnt capitalists, being like 
the rest of the world, ignorant of what a railroad Avas, were sIoav 



502 CHESTER COUNTY 

to invest, as they always have been and always will be in a new 
thinji-. Each of these attempts therefore came to nan.cht. 

But at length, in 1828, the Legislature of the State passed an 
act providing for the construction of a railroad from Philadelphia 
to Columbia, in Lancaster County, to be styled the "Pennsylvania 
Railroad," and directed that twenty miles at each end of the road 
be built at once. Soon after this the i)eople of "West Chester 
began to take up the question of building a railroad and to discuss 
the question of hoAV much more a horse could draw on such a road 
than on a common dirt road; for the idea of steam being used 
as a motive power on such a road had tben entered the minds of 
but few peoi>le, at least in the United States. 

In this connection it may be proper to state that according 
to Dr. George Smith, in his History of Delaware County, the first 
railroad constructed in this country was in what was once a por- 
tion of Chester County — in IJidley Township, Delaware County, in 
180(;. This railroad was built by Thomas Leiper, who had seen 
a road of the kind in either England or Scotland, and before buikl- 
ing his road in Delaware County he had constructe'i for him an 
experimental road on a vacant lot in the Northern I>iberties in 
Philadelphia, at a grade of one and a half inches to tht yard, 
which on the day of trial proved to be a great success. This rail 
road in Delaware County was constructed by Mr. Leiper for the 
purpose of transporting stone from his quarry on Crum Creek to 
his landing on Kidley Creek, a distance of about one mile, the 
ascent being a graded incline plane, and the superstructure being 
made of white oak, with cross-ties and str-ing-pieces. The wheels 
of his cars wei"e made of cast-iron, and had flanges to keep them 
on the rails. This short railroad was afterward superseded by 
the Leiper Canal, built in 1828 by Hon. George G. Leiper, son of 
the builder of the railroad, the canal being in use until 1852. 

The great event which startled the country from one end to 
the other, and which really determined the merchants of Phila- 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. . 503 

delphia and the people of Pennsylvania to build the railroad to 
rolumbia, was the completion of the Erie Canal in 182(). They 
were quick to perceive that unless something- were done to prevent 
it their previously obtained and profitable Western trade, which 
had up to that time been carried bj- means of the great Conestoga 
wagons, would go by way of the Erie ("anal to the city of New 
York; hence the passage of the act above referred to, to build the 
railroad from Philadelphia to Columbia. Thence it was thought 
travel could go b}' canal to Hollidaysburg, whence a railroad would 
pass over the mountains, and from Johnstown a canal would 
extend to Pittsburg. By such a route it was thought practicable 
to compete with the Erie Canal, as there would be a gain of time 
over the two stretches of railroad which this plan contemplated. 

In the construction of this first railroad from Philadelphia 
to Columbia many experiments were made in order to ascertain 
what kind of rail Avould be suitable. From the head of the inclined 
plane at Philadelphia to AVhite Hall a heavy stone sill was laid, 
with a flat bar of iron spiked upon it; but this proved a failure. 
Then flat bars of iron were laid, which were two and a half inches 
wide by one-half an inch thick; but these proved too light. They 
would draw loose, and in one or two cases the bars curled up at the 
end and pierced the bottom of the car. Then even these rails 
had to be imported from England at a great expense, and were 
very poor, there being then no American mills in operation. 
American mills came later on. 

The Columbia Road was completed into Philadelphia in 1833, 
entering the city at Vine Street, whence a city track laid on stone 
sills was extended down Broad, Market and Third to the foot of 
Dock. Upon the completion of this road, although it would not 
by any means compare with railroads of the present day, the 
competition of the Conestoga wagon was soon extinguished, 
and the drivers and their horses were transferred to the railroad. 
The first cars for passengers which, as intimated, were for a time 



504 CHESTER COUNTY 

drawn by horses, were four-wheeled vehicles, the body being- sim- 
ilar to but much larger than that of a Troy coach. 

It is now time to turn attention to the construction of the 
fii'st railroad that entered West Chester. It was in 1830 that this 
matter was taken up in earnest, the question being, or rather, per- 
haps, one question being, at Avhat point should a railroad from 
West Chester connect with the Columbia IJaili-oad, then well 
under way. A 2:)ublic meeting was held December 11, at the 
Turk's Head Hotel, at which a committee was appointed to con- 
fer with Major John Wilson, and as a result of this conference, 
with the consent of the canal commissioners. Major Wilson sent 
a corps of engineers to make a preliminary survey, tlie Major 
himself making an estimate of the probable cost. A second meet- 
ing was held December 22, at which a general town meeting was 
called for December 24, to take further and definite action. Dr. 
William Darlington of the committee made a report which was 
accepted, and the following resolutions adopted: 

"Kesolved, That it is expedient to construct a railroad from 
the borough of West Chester to intersect the Pennsylvania Eail- 
way at such point as shall be found most eligible. 

"Resolved, That Dr. Vv'illiam Darlington, William 11. Dilling- 
ham, Thomas Williamson, Ezra Cope, David Towusend, Thomas S. 
Bell and John II. Bradley, Esq., be a committee whose duty it shall 
be to take the necessary steps to obtain a law authorizing the 
incorijoration of a company to construct the said railway."' 

Major Wilson reported on January 8, 1831, that he had located 
a satisfactory route and submitted an estimate of the cost of the 
road, which he had placed at $S8,021.2!J. The charter was granted 
July 18 following, with all the privileges and concessions asked 
for by the petitioners. 

Anticipating the granting of the chartei' subscription books 
were opened in Philadelphia at the Merchants' Coffee House, at 
West Chester, at the Paoli Tavern and at the Washington House, 



AXD ITS! PEOPLE. 505 

on March 22, 1831. There was a grand rush made by those who 
wished to subscribe to the stock of the company, and in a very 
slioi-t time more than donble the amount of stock autliorized liad 
been subscribed; but this amount was later reduced, as provided 
for in the chai'ter. Tlie first board of directors, elected March 28, 
was comijosed of the following gentlemen: Dr. William Darling- 
ton, Ziba Pyle, William Williamson, IS. C. Jefferis, Jonathan Jones. 
Joseph Hemphill and Elihu Chauncy, Esq. On May 3, 1831, Major 
John Wilson was appointed chief engineer, and John P. Bailey, 
assistant, and on May 2(5, the grading of tlie line was let out in 
one mile sections, and the work pushed rapidly to completion. 
A meeting of the board of directors was held September 18, 1832, 
at which it Avas announced that John P. Bailey had complclcl 
the construction of the entire line in sixteen months. The traik 
laid at that time consisted of chestnut cross tics, sup]iorting yel- 
low pine string pieces, on which were laid liat iron bars two and 
a half inches wide by one half an inch thick, and the road was so 
ballasted between the rails as to make a good iiathway for lioises. 

The first superintendent of the road was .1. Lacey Darlington, 
M ho Mas i»aid a salary of one dollar per day, when he was engaged 
in the service of the company, and the first general agent, Hickman 
-James, received for his services -fSOO per year. The second annual 
meeting of the Board of Directors was held January 23, 1833, 
and it was then announced that the road had been opened pro forma 
September 13, 1832, and horses placed on the road, making ])ar- 
tial trips for the accommodation and entertainment of t!ie friends 
of the enterprise. On the 18th of October, 1833, tlie Canal Com- 
missioners had conjpleted a line of rails to the head of the inclined 
idanes, and the cars of the West Chester Bailway Company were 
at once run to that point, m hence passengers were conveyed into 
IMiiladelphia in stages and omnibuses, a drive of about four miles 
down the west side of the Schuylkill Kiver. 

On January 1, 1831, the company declared the first dividend 



5o6 CHESTER COUNTY 

aud the stockholders were made happj' with tlie ])rosi>e<t of future 
earnings of their road. During the j'ear following it was deemed 
advisable by the West Chester Company to cousti'uit a connecting 
road from Kirkland Station across to Whitelaml, in order to readi 
the limestone and marble quarries in that section, and to shorten 
the distance to Columbia, where lumber was then obtained. The 
capital stock was increased |10,000 and the road was built. This 
road, howevei", was but verj- little used and w(Mit to decay for 
want of repairs, proving an almost total loss to the company. 

During the year 1S35 a lot was purchased in Philadelphia, on 
liioad Street, south of iJace Street, on which lot was built a hotel 
called the West Chester House, Avith tracks for tlie company's 
cars under it. In July, 183G, William P. Sharpless was a])pointed 
superintendent of llie road aud property to reside in Philadelphia, 
whence it Avas thought a better supervision could be had of the 
]>i'0]>erty. Soon afterward adjoining lots were purcliase<1 on the 
southeast corner of Broad aud Kace Streets, upon which lots was 
built a large warehouse suitable for a forwarding and commission 
house, and from this house the freighting to West Chester was 
done for several years. 

About this time the railroad boom that had so excited the 
entire country subsided, times becoming hard, and there was but 
little done for some years. Tlie times continuing hard it became 
difficult for people to meet their obligations, and tlie West Chester 
Hallway Company Avas no exception to the general rule. There 
was no relief until after the passage of the tariff act of 1842. In 
order to meet the difficulties of the situation the company Avas 
compelled to raise the fare from one dollar to one dollar and 
twenty-live cents for the single trip. Then, too, the road had ene- 
mies, and an opposition company put four-horse coaches on the 
road to comjiete with the railroad, carrying passengers at reduced 
rates, and getting the carrying of the United States mails at about 
half Avhat had been formerly paid to the railway company. Be- 



AXD /7\s' I'EOI'LE. 507 

sides all this the Canal ("oinuiissioners were eudeavorinp; to induce 
the State Lefjislatiire to apiiropriate money in order to enable 
them to go down ihe Chester A'alley from I)owningtown,thus avoid- 
ing the inclined planes, as it had been discovered that these phines 
Avere a great obstruction to travel, and must be avoideil. Had 
the Canal Commisioners accomjilished their object the West Ches- 
ter Kailwaj- Company would have been left high and dry at Mal- 
vern, but the State was in debt to the extent of some |40,000,()l»0 and 
the Canal Commissioners failed of their object. 

At the annual meeting held January 15, 1844, the following 
gentlemen were elected directors: Joseph J. Lewis, Isaac Thomas, 
Philip P. Sharpless, Edward Hoopes, James Martin, George Camp- 
bell and William M. Spencer. Philip Sharpless and Isaac Thomas 
became members of the executive committee and at once determined 
that if possible they would lift tlie road out of its difficulties. 
One of these difficulties was the exorbitant charge made by the 
Canal Commissioners in the shape of tolls over their road, and 
it was resolved that because of tliese excessive charges they would, 
in case they could not secure a reduction of these tolls within 
three months, suspend the running of all cars, and call a meeting 
of the stockholders to consult upon the best means of disposing 
of their property. In a few weeks, however, tlie demands for a 
reduction of tolls were conceded and the fare to Philadelphia Avas 
reduced to seventy-five cents. Efforts had been made at various 
times to induce the State authorities to furnish steam power to 
iiaul the company's cars, and on .lanuary 31, 1844, the executive 
committee reported that they had api)ointed Samuel M. Painter, 
superintendent, and that an agreement had been made with the 
Canal Commissioners by Avliich th<' company's cars were to be 
hauled from the head of the inclined planes to the intersection 
at the rate of fifteen dollars per (hiy for each train. This agree- 
ment Avent into operation May 25, 1844, at which time two second- 
hand eight- wheeled passenger cars ^vere purchased for the service. 



5o8 ( 'U ESTER ( OUXTY 

Aftenvarcl two new passenger cars were ordered bnilt, which had 
a compartment for baggage nuderneath the body of Ihc cars, to 
save wheel toll on the baggage car. These were for a time the 
best equipped and the most highly ornamental cars ou tlie road. 
Previously only horse cars had been nsed, and liorse cars were 
still to be used from the inclined ])lanes to tlie city and on the 
AVest Chester Eailroad. On May 26, 1845, the Canal ( "oiinnission- 
ers agTeed to haul tlie cars of the company from the inclined 
jdanes into the city of West Chester for .|C,000 per annum, and 
horses were continued to haul the cars into tlie city of Philadel- 
phia from the foot of the inclined planes. 

In 1846, a turntable was constructed at West Chester, and 
the fare, which had been raised to fl to Philadelphia, was again 
reduced to seventy-five cents. Although the locomotives used ;it 
this time were very light, yet they Avere too heavy for the light 
irons on the road, and it was determined to lay a heavy T-rail as 
early as possible. Money was raised and the road rebuilt more 
permauently in 1847. 

About this time the Canal Commissioners were liaving a great 
deal of difficulty with the properties under their management. 
Tliey were confronted with a deficit every year, and appeared de- 
termined to prevent the railroad now under consideration from 
making any better showing. And the ()flicers of the railroad began 
to consider the question of a new route to Philadelphia by which 
it would be possible to avoid the 8fate works altogether. An engi- 
neer, with a small corps in charge, was sent out to find a new route 
and to make a rough survey of such route when found. It was 
found tliat the cost of a railroad over this route would be about 
•fl, 000, 000, and it was decided that the interest on this sum could 
not be earned if the road were built. Then some of the ablest 
professional men of West Chester, together with a few sound busi- 
ness men of DelaM'are County, determined to make a trial survey 
of a route through the northern end of Delaware Countv, and 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 509 

engaged Edward F. Gay to make the suvvey and estimate the 
cost. His estimate footed np $708,829.03, which -nas too high 
for the gentlemen coutemphiting the enterprise. T. G. Sickles was 
therefore engaged to make an estimate, and, seeing where the dif 
ficnlty lay, and knowing that none of those by whom he was em- 
ployed knew anything about railroading brought in an estimate 
about 1100,000 less than that of Mr. Gay. This estimate was satis- 
factory, and a public meeting was at once called for the purpose 
of organizing a company to build what became aften\-ard known 
as the West Chester and Philadelphia Eailroad. Of this com- 
pany John S. Bowen, a lawyer of West Chester, was elected presi- 
dent; T. C. Sickles was the engineer-in-chief, and work Avas com- 
menced to locate the road. This was in 1851. 

About this time the old West Chester Eailroad Company made 
an exchange of their Broad Street Depot in Philadelphia for a 
lot at the southwest corner of Eighteenth aud Market Streets, upon 
which they erected a passenger and freight depot, and in the mean- 
time earnest efforts were made to effect a union between the old 
road and the direct West Chester road. But the owners of the old 
road, finding that their property Avas steadily increasing in value 
and promised dividends in the near future, rejected all overtures, 
advising all people to take warning by the exi^erience they had 
had. However, after a fierce newspaper war, the West Chester 
Direct succeeded in getting a single track laid down to Glen Mills, 
where, for a time, the company was stranded. West Chester, by 
a popular vote, had invested to the amount of .f20,000 in the stock, 
which was sold a few years afterward for |4,000, and some of the 
original stock sold as low as $1 per share. But at length, in 1858, 
a great effort brought the road through to West Chester, it having 
been chartered about ten years before. The road, having thus 
been completed, was transferred by the trustees, J. and I. T. 
Thomas, to the company, it having at the time .fl,000,000 worth 
of bonds outstanding and all stock sunk. The road had cost about 



5IO CHESTER COUNTY 

$2,000,000, and several of the origiual projectors had been ruined 
and had pas.sed out of the management. In the meantime the old 
West Chester Company had been improving and strengthening 
their road and reserving their income for the contest with the new- 
road for the business of West Chester, which they realized must 
come. 

The Pennsylvania Ifailroad Company was chartered April 13, 
1S4(). This company was authorized to construct a railroad from 
Harrisburg to Pittsburg, a distance of 248 miles. The work of 
construction began at Harrisburg in July, 1847, and the division 
from Harrisburg to the junction with the Portage llailroad (then 
a State work) at Hollidaysburg at the eastern base of the moun- 
tains, being opened September l.j, 1850. The western division, 
from the we.stern end of the Portage Railroad to Pittsburg, was 
opened September 10, 1852; the mountain division, and with it the 
whole line, being opened February 15, 1854. 

From Harrisburg to Philadelphia, a distance of 105 miles, the 
road was made up of the old Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad 
(originally a State work), and the Harrisburg, Portsmouth, Mount 
Joy and Lancaster Railroad, chartered in 1832, opened in 1838, 
and leased in 1849. The Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad 
was purchased in 1857, with the main line of a system of public 
Avorks in the State. This system of public works was iuaugunated 
iu 1826, and contemplated the canals along the leading water 
courses. In this year the Legislature passed an act providing for 
a canal to be constructed at the expense of the State, and to be 
styled the Pennsylvania Canal. This canal was to extend from 
the Swatara River, at or near Middletown, where the Union Canal 
commenced, to the mouth of the Juniata, and from Pittsburg to 
the mouth of the Kiskiminetas and the Allegheny River. The 
design appears to have been to make the Juniata and the Kiski- 
minetas navigable by slackwater, and to u.se the Union Canal as 
the eastern end of the line, connecting with Philadelphia. 



AND 7rA<? PEOPLE. 511 

In 1827 the Canal Commissiouem were authorized by the Leftis- 
hitiire to make examinations through Chester and Lancaster Coun- 
ties preliminary to the construction of a railroad to connect "with 
the canal, and in 1828 the Commissioners were directed to locate 
a railroad from Philadelphia through Chester County, and on to 
Columbia, via Lancaster, the road to be completed within two 
years. This road was completed to Columbia with a double track 
in 1833. When this great public system of internal imi^rovements 
was first undertaken it was supposed that a canal from the waters 
of the Susquehanna to those of the Allegheny was practicable. 
The Portage road across the summit was worked by a series of 
inclined planes, which was abandoned upon the completion of the 
Pennsylvania Kailroad. For the work purchased of the State be- 
tween Philadelphia and Pittsburg the company paid |T,500,000 
in its fi\ e i^er cent, bonds, payable at the rate of •?4()0,000 per year, 
the balance of this payment, after the interest had been taken care 
of, to apply on the principal debt. 

In 1833 besides the completion of the road to Columbia the 
Portage was completed with a single track, and the main line of 
the canal was also finished. In 1831 the entire line between Phila.- 
delphia and Pittsburg was opened to travel. The first train of 
cars that passed over the Columbia Eailroad from Columbia passed 
over it on Wednesday, February 26, 1834. On March (5, 1834, tlu- 
Whig,' a newspaper published in West Chester, contained an ac- 
count of this first trip, a portion of which account is as follows: 

"One track of this important State improvement being com- 
pleted, arraugejnents were made by Mr. S. K. Slaymaker of Lan- 
caster for passing a train of ears from that city to Philadelphia on 
Wednesday. The members of the Legislature from the city of 
Philadelphia and the counties adjacent to the line of the road, 
with others, arrived at Columbia on Tuesday evening, by the 
canal-packet from Harrisburg, and were immediately conveyed to 
Lancaster in a train drawn by the locomotive, 'Black Hawk.' The 
engine performed the trip in fifty-five minutes. 



512 CHESTER COUNTY 

"Ou TN'ednesday morning'' (February 2G) "a train of cars was 
again attached, and left Xortli Qneen Street at eight o'clock, ar- 
rived at the Gap at ten, passed with ease the works there con- 
structed, and arrived at the head of the Inclined Plane, near the 
Schuylkill, at half-past four in the afternoon, having made the 
trip in eight hours and a half, all stoppages for taking in water, 
receiving and discharging passengers and incidental delays in- 
cluded. * * * * '■■ 

"Throughout the whole line the progress of the train was 
hailed with hearty acclamations by crowds of persons collected 
to witness the novel spectacle. An immense concourse of citizens 
was also assembled at the head of the inclined plane to greet its 
arrival at that point. The locomotive was there detached, the cars 
passed down without obstruction or serious diiiiculty, and were 
thence conveyed to Broad Street and other points in the city." 

The locomotive Black Hawk, built in England, was the first put 
ou the road. This was in 1832. In 1835 there were tliree locomo- 
tives, and in 1837 forty, horses being then relieved of the duty of 
hauling cars on the railroad. 

An offer having been made by the Pennsylvania Company for 
a lease of the old West Chester Railroad, an agreement was entered 
into by the two companies April G, 1859, by which the former 
company agreed to run trains on satisfactory terms for five years. 
The manner in which the road was operated under this lease was 
not satisfactory to the old company, as there was no apparent 
effort put forth by the Pennsylvania -to increase the value of the 
projjerty, and the impression gained strength that the operating 
company intended to permit the property to run down and its 
value to become so impaired that they would be able at the end 
.of their lease to purcliase it at a merely nominal figure. But not- 
withstanding this the old company were able to pay dividends 
and to lay aside a considerable surplus. 

In the meantime the direct line to Philadelphia by Avay of 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 513 

Media was doiug a fair aud iucreasiug biisiucss throiiiili the ener- 
getic management of its president, Marsliall B. Iliclvman. A sliort 
time previons to the expiration of the lease referred to above, 
Mr. Hickman made an offer to pnrchase the old line. Terms were 
agreed upon and the transfer of the road made without consulta- 
tion Avith the Pennsylvania Company, the old line thus passing 
into the possession of the Media Company. The Pennsylvania 
Comjjany was not satisfied with this arrangement, as it needed 
West Chester as a local station to aud from Philadelpliia, aud the 
result was that this company purchased both roads, since which 
time the old and new lines from West Chester to Philadelphia 
have been parts of the Great Pennsylvania System. 

The East Brandywine and Waj'nesburg Eailroad Coui])auy 
was incorporated March 3, 1854, the road originallj^ extendiug 
from Downingtown to Waynesburg, a distance of eighteen miles. 
The road was leased to the Pennsylvania Eailroad Company for 
ninety-nine years, November 1, 1876, and was reorganized after 
foreclosure, June 7, 1888. The name of the road was then changed 
to the Downingtown and Lancaster Eailroad, and now extends 
from Downingtown to Couestoga Junction, a distance of 37.58 
miles. 

The Wilmington and Northern Eailroad is the result of sev- 
eral consolidations. The Berks and Chester Eailroad Company 
was incorporated April 20, 1864, and in 1866 it was consolidated 
Avith the Delaware and Pennsylvania Eailroad Companj-, under the 
name of the Wilmington and Heading Eailroad Company. The 
road from Wilmington to Birdsboro' was opened in 1870, and was 
extended to Beading in 1871. On May 8, 1876, the road was placed 
in the hands of trustees, A. Gibbons, George Brooke and George 
Eichardson, by order of court, and by them operated until it was 
sold December 4, 1870. The Baltimore, Philadelphia and New 
York Eailroad Company, successor to the State Line and Juniata 
and Maryland, and Pennsylvania Eailroad Companies, having the 



514 CHESTER COiXTY 

liiiht to build a railroad from Baltimore to Philadelphia, was 
absorbed by the Wilmington and Keadiug, and the purrliasers 
of the road organized as the Wilmington and Northern, January 
IS, 1877. The extension of the road to Keadiug was sold sepa- 
rately; but during the year 1887 the Reading branch was consoli- 
dated with the main line, of which it still forms a i)art. The 
total length of line operated on June 30, 18!:Mi, was 92.30 miles, and 
the total number of miles owned by the company was then 88.11 
miles. 

■ The Philadelphia and Delaware Railroad Company was incor- 
porated under the name of the Doe llun and AVhite ("lay Creek 
Kailroad Company, March 21, 1868, the road to extend from the 
I'enusylvania IJailroad at Pomei'oy to DelaAvare State line, where 
it was to connect with a road running to Delaware City, t^ub- 
sequeutl}^ the name of the company was changed to the 'Pennsyl- 
vania and Delaware liailroad Company, and in 1873 the road was 
leased by the Pennsylvania Uailroail Comi)any, by which it has 
since been operated. It connects with the Baltimore Central 
Kailroad at Avondale, with the Wilmington and Western at Land- 
enberg, and with Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore llail- 
road near Newark. The road extends from Pomeroy to Delaware 
City. 

The Wilmington and Western Kailroad ((muects Wilmiugtcm 
with the Pennsylvania and Delaware Kailroad at Landerberg, its 
length within Chester County beiiig between two and three miles. 
It was opened October 19, 1872. 

The Pickering Valley Pailroad C(mipany was iuccn-porated 
April 3, 1869, and was leased for ninety-nine years from September 
1, 1871, by the Pennsylvania and Beading Kailroad Company for 
thirty per cent, of its gross earnings. Its capital stock is .|95,655. 
The road extends from Phoenixville to P.yer's Station, a distance of 
11.3 miles. 

The Perkiomen Kailroad Com])any was chartered Miircli 23, 




A^A'S^ 



AND /r.Sf PEOPLE. 517 

1865, and the road was opened May 8, 1868. It was leased from 
August 16, 1868, to May 11, 1879, to the Philadelphia and Heading 
Eailroad Company, the road having been completed October 11, 
1875. It extends from Perkiomen Junction to Emaus Junction, 
Pennsylvania, a distance of 38.5 miles, the trac]< of the East Penn- 
sylvania Railroad Company being used from Emaus Junction to 
Allentown. Tlie company was reorganized in 1887. 

The Pliiladelphia and Chester Valley Eailroad Company was 
chartered May 7, 1888, as the successor of the Chester Valley Rail- 
road Company, which was chartered April 2, 1850, reviving the 
charter of an old company by the name of the Norristown and Val- 
ley Railroad Company, incorporated April 15, 1835, to construct 
a railroad from some point on the Philadelphia and Columbia 
Railroad east of Braudywine Creek to a point on the Philadelphia, 
Germantown and Norristown Railroad near Norristown; but this 
company, after expending $850,000, became unable to complete 
their road within the time prescribed. The road is 21.50 miles 
in length, from Downingtown to Bridgeport, and is operated by the 
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in 1891 the latter company pay- 
ing for its use 45 per cent, of the gross earnings up to $30,000 and 
50 per cent, on all above $30,000. The road cost $1,073,613.88. 

The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad was constructed pre- 
vious to 1812, being opened for business January 10 of that year. 
The bill incorporating the company was introduced into the Leg- 
islature by Elijah F. Pennypacker, during the session of 1832-33. 
This was a difficult and expensive railroad to build, at least 
through Chester County, for bridges were required over the Valley, 
Pickering and French Creeks, besides one over the Schuylkill 
River. There is also a tunnel cut through solid rock, 1,932 feet 
long, and which was originally 19 feet wide and 17 feet high. 
This tunnel, begun in December, 1835, was completed in September, 
1837. 

The Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Eailroad Company 

30 



/ 



5i8 CHESTER COUNTY 

was incorporated March IT, 1853, and on April 6, 1854, was author- 
ized to form a union with a corporation chartered by the State of 
Maryland. The main line of this road from West Chester Junction 
to the junction near Port Deposit Avith the Columbia and Port De- 
posit Eailroad, is 46 miles in length, of which 36f miles is in Penn- 
sylvania. From West Chester Junction to Lamoldn is seven miles. 
The road was opened to Oxford in 1859, to Rising Sun, Maryland, 
in 18G5, and to River Junction in 1869. It had been brought into 
use to Chadd's Ford and soon afterward to Avondale, some time 
previously. Among the men who carried forward this enter- 
prise to success may be mentioned John M. Dickey, Samuel 
Dickey, Dr. E. V. Dickey, Samuel J. Dickey, Ebenezer Dickey, 
Dr. Franklin Taylor, John M. Kelton, James R. Ramsey, Mark A. 
Hodgson, Isaac Watkius, John Richards, Samuel Martin, James 
A. Strawbridge, Job H. Jackson, Daniel Stubbs, Milton Conard and 
David Woelpper. Each of these men served for a time during the 
construction of the road as a member of the board of directors. 

The West Chester Street Railway Company was chartered 
August 4, 1890, with a capital of |60,000, divided into shares of |50 
each. The officers of the company since its organization have been 
as follows: AVilliam Hayes, president; William S. Hari'is, secre- 
tary, and F. W. Woi-thington, treasurer. The directors have been 
as follows: William M. Hayes, R. T. Cornwell, M. H. Matlack, 
J. Carroll Hayes and A. (i. McCausland. That part of the railway 
within the limits of West Chester was commenced in November, 
1890, and the cars began running on it September 28, 1891. It 
consists of one track on High Street, extending from Vix"ginia Ave- 
nue to Rosedale Avenue, and one track on Market Street, extend- 
ing from the Pennsylvania Railway to New Street, down New 
Street to Sharpless Street, the intersection of the tAVO branches 
being at High and Market Streets. That part of the road extend- 
ing from Sharpless Street to Lenape Station on the Wilmington 
and Northern Railway, a distance of nearly five miles, was built 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 519 

during the month of June to November, inclusive, 1891, and the 
oars began running on tliis line November 10, 1891. Power to pro- 
pel the rars on the lines of this company is derived from theWest 
Chester Electric Light and Power Company. 

The Philadelphia, Castle Rock and West Chester Railway 
Company was organized December 15, 1892, and chartered with 
an authorized capital stock of |1,000,000, of which |100,000 has 
been subscribed. This company has already constructed an elec- 
tric railway from Philadelphia to Ridley Creek on the Phila- 
delphia and West Chester Road, and on March 31, 1898, it passed 
a resolution to the effect that in order to increase its business and 
accommodate the travel of the public it was necessary to con- 
struct its railway from its western terminus, as above given, to 
the line of the borough of West Chester, and into the said borough 
along Market Street to Adams Street, then north on Adams Street 
to Gay Street, and then on Gay Street to Walnut. Permission 
being asked of the borough council of West Chester to so construct 
its railway inside the borough, a resolution was passed by the 
Council on April 11, 1898, granting the privilege asked. The 
president of this railway company is John N. M. Shriner and 
the secretary, William S. Taylor. 



CHAPTER Xlll. 

THE COURTS. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

COURTS — THE FIRST IN CHESTER COUNTY — THE TRIBUNE— SEVERAL INTEREST- 
ING EARLY CASES — FIRST COURT OF EQUITY — FIRST ORPHANS* COURT 

FIRST COURTHOUSE AND PRISON — STOCKS AND WHIPPING POST — COURT 
DISTRICTS THE PRESIDING JUDGES OYER AND FERMINER CHAR- 
ACTER OF OFFENSES — -PROFESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LEAD- 
ING PRACTITIONERS — LISTS OF OFFICERS— PUNISHMENT FOR 

CRIME MURDERS COMMITTED ADMISSIONS TO THE 

BAR LAW ASSOCIATIONS — LIBRARIES. 

THE first court of Chester County, after William Peun's ar- 
rival, met at Chester February 14, 1G82: John Simcock, president; 
Thomas Brasy, William Clayton, Eobert Wade and John Bezer, 
justices; Thomas Usher, sheriff; and Thomas Revell, clerk; Will- 
iam Kaw'son, James Browne, Jeremiah Collett, William Hewes, 
Walter Martin, Nathaniel Evans, Joshua Hastings, William 
Woodmanson, Thomas Colborne, Albert Hendrickson, Joseph 
Richards, and Edward Carter, jurors. 

There was also a Tribune established called the Peace Makers, 
consisting of three persons holding their appointment from the 
court. The duties of the Peace Makers appear to have been to 
arbitrate upon such questions as were brought before them. They 
were appointed for a specified time and held meetings regularly. 

At a court held June 27, 1683, it was ordered that the Peace 
Makers are to meet on the first Fourth-day everj- month, and at a 
court held August 5, 1684, the Peace Makers made the following 
order : 

"According to the order of the court to us directed we have 
seriously considered the premises between the plaintiff, Richard 

523 



524 CHESTER COUNTY 

Crosby, and the defendant, George Andrews, whereby we, the 
Peace Makers, do give, grant, judge and allow that the said de- 
fendant, George Andrews, his heirs and assigns, shall pay or 
cause to be paid unto the said plaintiff, Kichard Crosby, or his 
assigns, such full and just sum, eighteen pounds, in lawful money 
of this province, at or upon the twentieth day of this instant, 
December, at the now dwelling house of James Saunderlaine, at 
Chester, one-half of said eighteen pounds, the said defendant, 
George Andrews, or his assigns, is to pay the said plaintiff, Kich- 
ard Crosby, or his assigns, as aforesaid in ready money, the other 
half as aforesaid, in good and merchantable wheat or rye at the 
common market price of this river. To which conclusion we, the 
Peace Makers, for this County of Chester, have set our hands at 
the aforesaid Chester, the 17th of the 10th month, 1GS3. 

"JOHN HASTINGS, 
"JOHN HARDING." 

At a court held August 22, 1683, a most interesting case was 
tried, a case involving the title to the whole of Tiuicum Island. 
This island had been given by deed of November fi, 1613, to Gov- 
ernor John Printz, and the Governor's daughter, Mrs. Papegoya, 
in 1662, had sold it to Jost De LagTange, receiving in part pay- 
ment a bill of exchange which Avas protested. After returning 
from Sweden she brought suit to recover that portion of the con- 
sideration represented by the bill of exchange. The case was 
taken from the High Court of the Delaware to the Court of As- 
sizes of New York, where, on October 2, 1672, a verdict was ren- 
dered for the plaintiff for £350 and costs. Jost De Lagrange hav- 
ing died, his widow married Andrew Carr, and at the time of this 
verdict Andrew Carr and his wife were in possession of the island. 
The sheriff was ordered to put Mrs. Papegoya in possession of the 
island and of the stock in payment of the debt, which Avas done, 
and Mi's. Papegoya afterward sold the island to Otto Ernest Cock. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 525 

To trace this case further wouhl scarcely be interestino; to the gen- 
eral reader, hence it is here dismissed. 

At a court held in December, 1684, Joseph Cookson was pre- 
sented by Robert Wade "for taking a wife contrary to the good 
and wholesome laws of this Province," and was ordered to find 
security in the sum of ten pounds, which, so far as could be ascer- 
tained, was the end of the case. 

A most interesting case came before the court which met 
January 6, 1685, entitled, "Justa Anderson vs. Laurentius Caro- 
lus and James Saunderlaine." It appeared that Justa Anderson 
a few years before had purchased of Laurentius Garolus, the 
Swedish priest, his house and land, about 200 acres, for which he 
gave or agreed to give 800 guilders. It was probably in 1684 the 
Swedish priest had sold the same land or tried to do so, with the 
exception of the house and a small piece of land on which it stood, 
to John Grubb, and hence the suit against Carolus and Saunder- 
laine, for weakening the title to land. The verdict was in favor of 
the plaintiff, but the defendants carried the case to the next court 
of assizes held at Chester. 

Thus proceedings were held in the courts for many years, the 
recital of the details of which would be both tedious and uninter- 
esting to the general reader. 

The first Court of Equity for Chester County was held in 
March, 1685-86, the record being: 

"Att a court of equity held att Chester, the 5th day of the 
1st week of the 10th month, 1686: 

"Commissioners present: — John Blunstone, John Simcocke, 
George Maris, Bartholomew Coppock, Samuel Levis, Robert Wade, 
Robert Pile. — Robert Eyre, clerk." 

The first Orphans' court was held at Chester on the 3rd day of 
the 1st week of the 8th month, 1687. 

The first court-house in the county, called the "House of De- 
fence," was erected about 1678, and soon afterward a prison was 



526 CHESTER COUXTY 

erected. A new prison was provided for in 1691, which was de- 
signed as a work-lionse for felons. It was to be of stone and 18x2G 
feet in size. This order was not, however, carried out, and an- 
other order was made in 1692, a poll-tax being levied to provide 
foy the expense, this being the first poll-tax levied in the county 
in which no distinction was made between freemen and servants. 
This levy not being made, a new order was issued in December, 
1693, and early in 1694 an assessment was authorized for i*aising 
£150 for defraying the expense of the building of the new jail "at 
the triie value of two pence per pound upon the real and personal 
estates of all the inhabitants of tlie county, seasable by the first 
act of the new laws — all freemen 6s per head.*' In 1693 the num- 
ber of taxables in the ten townships in what is now Delaware 
County was 110, and in 1696 this number had become 182. 

In 1697 a new court-house had been erected, and in 1700 the 
necessity for a pair of stocks and a whipping-post had become evi- 
dent. In 1703 this necessity was again presented. In 1721 an- 
other new court-house was erected in Chester, which served until 
after the separation of Delaware from Chester County, and for 
many years served as a town hall in Chester Borough. 

Under the Constitution of 1790 the State was divided into dis- 
tricts, each district to contain not less than three counties nor 
more than six. There was to be api)ointed by the Governor of the 
State a president judge for each district and associate justices for 
each county, not less than three nor more than four. In the divi- 
sion of the State into districts, Chester County came in the second, 
along with Lancaster, Dauphin and York. The first [)resident 
judge of this district, William August Atlee, was appointed by 
Governor Thomas Mitlliu. He presided over the courts of his dis- 
trict from November, 1791, to August, 1793. John Joseph Henry 
was also appointed by Governor Mifflin, and presided from Febru- 
ary, 1791, to May, 1800. John D. Coxe was the next president 
judge, serving from May, 1800, until May, 1805. William Tilghman 
presided from August, 1805, to February, 1806, both terms. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 527 

By an act of the Legislature passed February 24, ISOfi, the 
State was redlstrictecl, Chester County being placed in the Seventh 
District, along with Montgomerj^, Delaware and Bucks; and soon 
afterward Bjrd Wilson, otherwise referred to in these pages, was 
appointed president judge of this district, remaining from Febru- 
ary, 1806, uutil November, 1817, when he became a clergyman in the 
Episcopal Church. 

In 1818 John Boss became president judge, remaining in that 
oflSce until May, 1821. A new district was then formed, composed 
of Chester and Delaware Counties, and named the Fifteenth Judi- 
cial District, over which Isaac Darlington presided from May, 1821, 
until his death, April 27, 1839. Thomas S. Bell was then appointed, 
and presided over the district from 1839 until he was elevated to 
the Supreme Court, November 18, 1846. John M. Foi-ester, of Har- 
risburg, was then appointed, and served from December, 1846, to 
March, 1847, and then James Nill, of Chambersburg, was ap- 
pointed, presiding from March 23, 1847, ujitil March IS, 1S4S. 
Henry Chapman, of Doylestown, succeeded Judge Nill, and pre- 
sided from March 18, 1848, until December 2, 1851, the office then 
becoming elective, and though Judge Chapman was solicited by 
both political parties to become a candidate for election to the 
office, he declined, because it was not convenient for him to reside 
within the district, as the law required. 

Under the elective system Townsend Haines was elected in 
October, 1851, was commissioned November 6, and presided over 
the district until December 2, 1861. William Butler was elected 
to this office in October, 1861, was commissioned November 20, 
1861, and served until February 24, 1879, when he resigned, having 
been appointed United States district judge for the Eastern Dis- 
trict of Pennsylvania. On February 27, 1879, J. Smith Futhey 
was appointed by Governor Hoyt to serve during the remainder of 
Judge Butler's term, or until January 5, 1880, and was elected in 
November, 1879, there being no opposing candidate. Judge Futhey 



528 CHESTER COUNTY 

served until his deatli, which occurred November 26, 1888. During 
the greater part of his term he was the only judge, the associate 
judges having been legislated out of office, as will be seen later on, 
in ISTC, and it was doubtless due to the fact of the great amount 
of labor performed by Judge Futhey on the bench that his life was 
terminated as early as it was. It was also due to this gi-eat 
amount of labor performed by him that an additional law judge 
Avas provided for by an act of Assembly approved June 15, 1887, 
under which William B. Waddell was appointed by the Governor 
to fill the vacancy caused by the creation of this office. Judge \^'ad- 
dell's commission being dated July 7, 1887. Judge Waddell was 
elected to the office of additional law judge in the fall of 1887, and 
was commissioned January 3, 1888. 

Upon the death of Judge Futhey, Judge Waddell Avas ap- 
pointed president judge, his commission as sucli being dated De- 
cember 4, 1888, and in February, 1889, Thomas S. Butler became 
additional law judge. Judge Waddell served until his death, 
which occurred June 3, 1897, when Joseph Hemphill, who was 
elected additional law judge in November, 18S9, became president 
judge, and is serving as such at the present time. William Butler, 
Jr., was appointed additional law judge August 29, 1897, and was 
subsequently elected, and on January 3, 1898, was commissioned 
for a term of ten jears. 

Previous to 1790 the Court of Oyer and Terminer was held by 
the justices of the Supreme Court, \\ho at stated times made a 
circuit of the counties. A sitting of this court was held at Chester 
October 3, 1698, before Joseph Growdon and Cornelius Empson to 
hear an appeal in a suit between Thomas Thomas and Morgan 
James, and another session was held October 2, 1705, before John 
Guest and Jasper Yeates, at which time the Governor's commis- 
sion to John Guest, Joseph Growdon, Jasper Yeates, Samuel Fin- 
ney and William Trent, or any two of them, was read. At this 
time David Lloyd, who was attorney for the defendant, showed 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 529 

that the Governor's conunissiou was defective, and consequently 
nothing conUl be done. The members of this court came, of course, 
from all parts of the State, the following being from Chester 
County: John Simcock, who served in 1690, and David Lloyd, who 
served from 1717 to 172G, both of whom were citizens but not na- 
tives of Chester County; and Thomas McKean, who was a native 
of Chester County and one of the ablest men of his time. He 
served in 1777. 

Under "William Peun's form of go^•erument murder was the only 
capital crime; but about the time of his death the counterfeiting 
of bills (if credit and current coin were made capital. After the 
lievolutionary War a revised penal code was adopted, in tlie pre- 
amble of which it recited the provisions of tlie royal cluu'ter, that 
the English laws on felony should be in force in Pennsylvania 
until altered by the Proprietor and freemen. And it was enacted 
that high treason, murder, robbery, mayliem, witchcraft, arson 
and six other crimes should be cai^ital crimes, and fines, whipping, 
branding and imprisonment were j^rovided foi* crimes of lesser 
grade. 

Since then, however, one by one these crimes have been 
dropped from the list of capital ones, and at present the State has 
returned to the more humane code of William Penn, only one 
crime, that of murder, being now capital. 
^ Isaac Darlington, one of the foremost lawyers of the early 
part of the present centui'y, was born in the township of West- 
town, Chester County, December 13, 1781, and it is said of him that 
probably no young man in Chester Count}- was trained to more 
laborious habits in early life than he. He was instructed in the 
rudiments of an English education by the celebrated John For- 
sythe, the best schoolmaster of that period, and for two or three 
years he taught a country school, acquitting himself with remark- 
able success. When nearly eighteen yeafs of age he began reading 
law in the office of Joseph Hemphill, a distinguished member of the 



530 CHESTER COUNTY 

Chester County Bar, and he was admitted to the bar a short time 
before he was twentj-one years of age. In 1807 and in 1808 he 
was elected to the Legishitui'e, and declined a re-election, but at a 
special election held in February, 1810, to till a vacaucy, he was 
again chosen to that body. 

At the general election in 1816 he was elected to a seat in the 
Fifteenth Congress, to represent Chester and Montgomery Coun- 
ties, and in 1820 he was appointed deputy attorney-general for 
Chester County, holding the position until 1821, when he was ap- 
pointed president judge of the district composed of Chester and 
Delaware Counties. This position he held until his death, which 
occurred April 27, 1839. 

Hon. Thomas S. Bell, foi'merly a distinguished attorney, and 
president judge of the district composed of Chester and Delaware 
Counties, was boi'n in Philadelphia, October 22, 1800. Having 
studied law under James Madison Porter, he was admitted to the 
Philadelphia Bar April 11, 1821, and in May following removed to 
West Chester. In 1823 he was appointed dei'mty attorney-general 
for Chester County, and held the office until August, 1828. Con- 
tinuing in practice until May, 1837, he then became a member of 
the convention to revise the Constitution of the State, and in 1838 
he was elected a member of the State Senate, but owing to some 
alleged errors in the returns his seat was contested and awarded 
to Nathaniel Brooke. 

On May 16, 1839, he was appointed president judge of the dis- 
trict composed of Chester and Delaware Counties, which position 
he filled until November 18, 1846, when he was appointed a mem- 
ber of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, holding this position 
until December 1, 1851, when the tenure of office was changed by 
the Constitution. He represented Chester and Delaware Coun- 
ties in the State Senate in 1858, 1859 and 1860, and in all the public 
positions he held was able and faithful in the discharge of his du- 
ties. His mind was remarkably active and correct in its opera- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 531 

tions, and lie mastered his subjects, as it were, almost by intuition. 
A fluent speaker, a clear and forcible writer, uniformly courteous 
and honorable in his dealings and associations with men, he was 
missed greatly by all at his death, which occurred in Philadelphia, 
June G, 1861. 

Hon. Pei'sifor Frazer Smith, born in Philadelphia, January 
23, 1808, was a son of Joseph and Mary (Frazer) Smith, the former 
being a son of Robert Smith, of Uwchlan, Chester County, and lieu- 
tenant of the county during the Revolutionary War. Persifor 
Fraser Smith was educated in Philadelphia, principally in the 
classical schools of Dr. Samuel B. Wylie and Joseph P. Engle, and 
graduated from the University of Pennsylvania July 31, 1821, and 
immediately removed with his father to East Whiteland, Chester 
County. In October, 1826, he began the study of the laAV in the 
office of William H. Dillingham, and was admitted to the bar of 
Chester County in 1829. In Decembei*, 1831, he was admitted to 
the Supreme Court of the State, and in October, 1832, to the Circuit 
Court of the Third District of Pennsylvania. In May, 1835, he was 
appointed clerk of the Orphans' Court of Chester County, and on 
February 25, 1839, he was appointed prosecuting attorney for Del- 
aware County. In February, 1819, he was admitted to practice 
before the Supreme Court of the United States, and became widely 
known as an able and honest practitioner by both lawyers and 
jurists. He was well skilled in the intricacies of the law, and his 
opinion was frequently sought by his professional brethren. 

In 1861 he was elected a member of the State Legislature, and 
was returned in 1862, 1863 and 1861. During the Civil War he 
was one of the strongest sustainers of the Union cause in its strug- 
gle with armed rebellion, and in 1866 he was appointed State Re- 
porter of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, a position which he 
filled with ability for ten years, resigning in May, 1876. Almost 
every law library in the State of Pennsylvania contains the thirty- 
two volumes of State Reports compiled and arranged during the 



532 CHESTER COUNTY 

ten years lie lield the office of State Reporter. He was also tlie 
author of a vahiable legal text-book entitled "Forms of Procedure." 

He was a man of wide and varied reading, keeping fully 
abreast of the progress of the age in which he lived in scientific 
and literary matters, and he was always closely identified with 
every good work calculated to promote the prosperity of his town 
and county. 

^ Hon. J. Smith Futhey, who became president judge in 1879, 
and died while still holding that ofiice, November 20, 18S8, was one 
of the most distinguished men of Chester County. He was pos- 
sessed of unusual ability, was of independent thought and action, 
and of great and untiring industrj^ He was the only judge of his 
district for about eight years. It was stated that his death was 
largely due to overwork, and in 1887 the Legislature enacted a law 
providing for an additional law judge, in order that the president 
judge might be to some extent relieved. 

Besides performing his duties as judge, Mr. Futhey spent most 
of his leisure hours in historical research and other literary work, 
and it is to him that the people of Chester County, as well as histo- 
rians generally, are mainly indebted for information in regard to 
the early history of the county in all its varied lines. His genius 
for and appreciation of detail in matters of this kiml was very 
great. 

Mr. Futhey was undoubtedly one of the most upright and faith- 
ful of the common pleas judges of the State, and it may be truth- 
fully said of him, and without the least disparagement of others, 
that no one preceded him or has succeeded him who was or has 
been of more sterling integrity or possessed of a higher apprecia- 
tion of the value of justice. Soon after his death the Bar of Chester 
County adopted the following memorial address : 

"The death of Hon. J. Smith Futhey is a serious loss to the 
bench and bar of this county. When stricken down he had nearly 
completed a ten years' term as president judge of this district. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. ' 535 

The absence of so pi'ominent a personage from our midst leaves a 
void whicli will be long felt and mourned. He was worthy of the 
ermine — able, industrious, merciful and just. In the trial of cases 
he knew no parties, and followed implicitly where the law and the 
evidence led. He was uniformly courteous and exceedingly tender 
and considerate of the feelings of others. His denials left no sting; 
his judgments no offense; his inflictions no wound. Taking him 
all in all, he will be hard to follow and his place difficult to fill. 

"As a member of the bar for nearly forty-six years, he was 
endeared to us by all the ties that can unite professional brethren. 
He was proud of his profession, and had a high sense of the integ- 
ritv', honor and courtesy essential to it. His ability, industiT and 
worth won for him a large, devoted and influential clientage. He 
was a consistent Christian gentleman, and was highly esteemed 
as a citizen. A friend of popular education, he labored assidu- 
ously for its promotion. His historical and other researches and 
publications are valuable contributions to the literature of the 
times and have been widely read. As husband, father, citizen, 
author, lawyer and judge, his life has been an exemplary one and 
full of good works." 

These eulogistic words were signed by William B. ^N'addell, 
president, and by J. Newton Huston, secretary. 

Hon. William Bell Waddell, formerly president judge of the 
District Court, was born in Philadelphia, September 21, 1S2S. The 
family was of Scotch-Irish origin and traced its ancestry back to 
the north of Ireland, peopled by the Scotch after the native inhab- 
itants liad been driven out by King James I of England. One 
member of the family, born in Ireland, has been rendered famous 
by William Wirt as the -'Blind Preacher,"" in the History of Vir- 
ginia, and another member, grandfather of the judge, Avhose name 
was William, was also born in Ireland. His son Robert married 
Mary Bell, and they were the parents of Judge \Mlliam Bell Wad- 
dell. 

31 



536 CHESTER COIXTY 

Judge Waddell pursued his academic studies iu the private 
school of James Crowell, and entered Princeton College in 18-16, 
graduating therefrom in 1849. l\eturning to West Chester, he read 
law with Joseph Hemphill, father of Judge Joseph Hempliill, and 
he was admitted to the bar March 2, 1852. From this time <m until 
his death he was almost continuously engaged iu the practice of 
his profession in West Chester, until 1887, when he was elevated 
to the bench. 

In 1864 he was elected to the House of Representatives of the 
State Legislature, serving until 1867. In 1871 he was elected to 
the State Senate, and served until the close of his term in 1873, 
when he returned to the practice of law. In 1887 he was appointed 
to serve as additional law judge until the election in tlie fall of 

1887, when he was elected for the term of ten years, from 1888 to 
1898, but, upon the deatli of Judge J. Smith Futhey, he was ap- 
pointed president judge, his commission being dated December 4, 

1888. This position he filled untl his death, which occurred June 3, 
1897. 

He was always courteous as a jurist, was an able, honorable 
man and an upright judge; He was well respected by his fellow- 
citizens, and was widely and sincerely mourned at th.e time of 
his death. 

Hon. Joseph Hemphill, president judge of Chester County, was 
born at West Chester, September 17, 1842. After attending private 
schools at West Chester he went to Willistou Seminary at East 
Hampton, Massachusetts, where lie remained until compelled by 
sickness to return to his liome. Entering his father's law office 
in 1860 as a law student, he read law there three years, and tlien 
spent one year in the law department of Harvard University, under 
the special instruction of Parsons and Washburue, well-known 
authorities on American law. He was admitted to the bar October 
31, 1864, and the law partnership then formed with his father 
lasted until the latter's death, February 11, 1870. From 1864 to 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 537 

at tlie time of his election as additioual law judge lie was in 
oonstaut practice. 

Judge Hemphill is a democrat, aud in 1872 served as a member 
of the Constitutional Convention, rendering valuable service in 
framing the present constitution of the State. This led to his 
nomination by the Democratic party of the county for additional 
law judge in 1889, and in the fall of that year he was elected over 
Thomas S. Butler, by a majority of thirty-two votes. Taking his 
seat January G, 1890, he discharged the duties of his office to the 
satisfaction of all, and upon the death of President Judge William 
B. Waddell, succeeded to that position, which he is now filling. 

As stated above, the Constitution of 1790 provided that in each 
county there should be associate judges, not less than three nor 
more than four, to hold their offices during good behavior. The 
first associate judg-es in Chester County were appointed by Cov- 
ernor Thomas Mifflin, August 17, 1791. They were Joseph Shippen, 
of Westtown; Walter Finney of New London; and James Moore 
of West Nantmeal. Benjamin Jacobs of West Whiteland was ap- 
pointed the fourth associate judge July 3, 1792. 

Judge Hhipi^en held the judgeship until December 28, 1792, 
when he resigned, and on January 5, 1793, Samuel Evans was ap- 
pointed first associate judge in his place. Samuel Evans, having 
removed to Lancaster County, resigned his office, June 29, 1793, and 
was succeeded by James Boyd, of what is now Penn Township, 
November 1, 1793. These four associate judges, Walter Finney, 
James Moore, Benjamin Jacobs and James Boyd, presided together 
until 1802, in which year Judge Moore died, and was succeeded by 
John Ralston of Vincent, who was appointed April 7, 1802. Judge 
Jacobs served until March 31, 1803, and was succeeded by John 
Davis of Tredyffrin. From this time on until September, 1820, 
Judges Finney, Boyd, Davis and Ralston were associates, Judge 
Finney dying in that month, and no appointment was made to 
fill the vacancy, because the Legislature in 1803 has passed an act 



538 CHESTER COUNTY 

providing that when a vacancy shouhl thereafter occur, there 
should be no appointment until the number of associate judges 
had been reduced by death, resignation or otherwise, to less than 
three. In 1806 an act was passed providing for the reduction of the 
number of associate judges to two. Judge Boyd died August 10, 
1821, and the number was thus reduced to two. 

Judge Ralston died September 1, 1825, in the eighty-first year 
of his age, and was succeeded by Cromwell Pearce of East White- 
land, his commission being dated September 5, 1825. Judge Davis 
died in 1827, and was succeeded by Jesse Sharp, who was com- 
missioned January 26, that year. Judges Pearce and Sharp were 
associate judges until 1839, when, on account of defective hearing, 
Judge Pearce resigned, and was succeeded by Thomas Jones of 
East Whiteland, for the term of five years, in accordance with 
the Constitution of 1838. 

Judge Sharp's term having expired February 27, 1841, he 
was re-appointed for the constitutional term of five years, and on 
the expiration of this term he was again re-appointed for another 
term of five years. But on account of liis age he resigned in 
December, 1847, and was succeeded by Nimrod Strickland of West 
Chester, whose commission was dated January 31, 1848. 

Upon the expiration of Judge Jones's term of five years, 
February 19, 1844, he was re-appointed, and at the expiration of his 
second term, in February, 1849, he retired from the bench. Samuel 
Shafer was appointed to succeed Judge Jones, and .Judges Strick- 
land and Shafer served until the expiration of their terms of office, 
December 1, 1851, the office being made elective by amendments to 
the Constitution. 

At the election of 1851 Samuel Shafer and Joseph Hodgson 
were elected for five years, and took their seats December 0, 1852. 
Judge Hodgson was a resident of Penn Township, and at the 
expiration of his five years' term declined a re-election. Judge 
Shafer, who was an unusually popular man, filled the office until 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 539 

liis death, April 2G, ISCG, and was succeeded by Eobert Parke of 
Sadsbury Township, commissioned by the Governor May 9, 1856, 
for the remainder of Judge Shafer's term. 

At the general election in 1856 Nimrod Strickland and William 
Wollerton were elected, and commissioned for the term of five years 
from December 7, 1857, but in October, 1857, Judge Strickland 
was elected canal commissioner, and to fill out his unexpired 
term John P. Baily of West Chester was appointed, and was 
commissioned January 21, 1858. In October, 1858, Robert Parke 
was elected in opposition to Judge Baily, and took his seat on the 
bench December G, 1858. In October, 1861, John P. Baily was 
elected to succeed Judge Wollerton, who had declined a re-election 
and was commissioned for the term of five years commencing De- 
cember 2, 1861. In 1866 he was re-elected for another term of five 
years. 

In 1863 Benjamin J. Passmore of West Chester was elected to 
succeed Judge Parke, and was commissioned for the term of five 
years commencing December 7, 1863. He was subsequently re- 
elected twice, and served until his death, March 1, 1875. In 1871 
Joel Ilawley of Uwchlan was elected to succeed Judge Baily, was 
commissioned by the Governor and held the office until the ex- 
piration of the term, December 4, 1876. On the death of Judge 
Passmore in 1875, no successor was elected, the new Constitution 
of 1874 having provided for the abolition of the office on the 
death, resignation or termination of the office of any incumbent. 
Judge Hawley was the only associate judge, therefore, until the 
expiration of his own term of office, December 4, 1876. 

For a period of 110 years previous to 171)3 the criminal busi- 
ness of Chester County was conducted by the attorney-general in 
person, on account of the prosecution. lu 1793 the first deputy 
attorney-general was appointed, and from that time to 1850 the 
pleas of the Commonwealth were prosecuted by deputies ap- 
pointed by the attorney-general, with the exception of a brief 



540 CHESTER COUNTY 

period. In 1850 an act of Assembly was enacted creating the 
office of district attorney, and since then these officers have been 
elected by the people. 

Among the attorneys-general of the Province, whose names 
it is not deemed necessary to present in this work, was Thomas 
Clarke, who, at a Court of Quarter Sessions held May 25, 1708, 
"appeared in open court and was qualified attorney-general for the 
county of Chester according to \aw. Of these attorneys-general, 
some of them were very able and distinguished men. One of 
them, Andrew Hamilton, is said to have been one of the greatest 
lawyers of his time, and filled several public stations with con- 
spicuous ability and integrity. His son, James, was sevei'al times 
Governor of Pennsylvania between 1748 and 1771. Tench Francis, 
attorney-general from 1711 to 1755, was one of the most eminent 
lawyers of the Province, and a relative of Sir Philip Francis, the 
one-time reputed author of the celebrated Junius Letters. Benja- 
min Chew, attorney-general from 1755 to 17C0, was in 1774 ap- 
pointed chief justice of Pennsylvania, but being opposed to the 
Eevolution, he retired from the bench in 1776, being thus the last 
chief justice of the Crown in Pennsylvania. Andrew Allen was 
the last attorney-general under the King of England, was also 
opposed to the Revolution, placed himself under the protection of 
Gen. Howe at Trenton, and lost his estates by confiscation by the 
new government. He died in England at the age of eighty-five. 
He was a grandson of Andrew Hamilton above mentioned. 

Following is a list of the deputy attorneys-general from May, 
1793, to the year 1850: Robert Frazer, May, 1793, to February, 
1800; John Sergeant, May, 1800, to May, 1803; Thomas Sergeant, 
August sessions, 1803; William Hemphill, November, 1803, to 
November, 1808; John Duer, Jr., February, 1809, to April, 1816; 
Robert Frazer, July and November sessions, 1816; Isaac D. Bar- 
nard, January, 1817, to November, 1820; Isaac Darlington, Jan- 
uary and April sessions, 1821; William H. Dillingham, July, 1821, 



AA'D ITS PEOPLE. 541 

to November, 1823; Thomas S. Bell, January, 1S24, to May, 1828; 
Henry H. Van Amringe, August, 1828, to August, 1829; and from 
May, 1830, to February, 1835, the interim betAveen August, 1829,. 
and May, 1830, there being no deputy; Joseph J. Lewis, May, Au- 
gust and November sessions, 1835; William Darlington, 1836, 1837 
and 1838; Joseph Hemphill from 1839 to 1814, six years; John 
Hickman, during 1845 and the sessions in Jauuai*y and April, 
184G; Joseph J. Lewis, July and October sessions, 1846; John 
Hickman, January- sessions, 1847; John H. Briuton, Ajn-il, 1847, to 
July, 1848; Washington Towusend, October sessions, 1848, and 
January sessions, 1849; J. Smith Futhey, from April sessions, 
1849, to November sessions, 1850, both inclusive, being the last of 
the deputy attorneys-general who prosecuted in Chester County. 

In 1850 an act of Assembly created the office of district at- 
torney, elected by the people, and the following gentlemen hava 
since then filled this office: ■. 

Paschall Woodward, November, 1850, to September, 1853; 
J. Smith Futhey, at October sessions, 1853, the remaining session 
of Mr. Woodward's term, and then by election from November, 
1853, to November, 1856; William Butler, November 1856, to No- 
vember, 1859; Wayne MacVeagh, from November, 1859, to 
November, 1862; Henry M. Mclntire, elected in October, 
1862, to January, 1863, when he died from wounds re- 
ceived in the service of his country; James .J. Creigh, 
appointed in -January, 1863, to serve until the election, and 
was elected in November, 1863, and served until November, 1866; 
Francis C. Hooton, November, 1866, to Novembei-, 1869; George 
F. Smith, November, 1869, to November, 1872; Abraham Wauger, 
November, 1872, to January, 1876; James H. Bull, January, 1876, 
to January, 1879; Thomas W. Pierce, January, 1879, to 1882; 
Francis Windle, 1882 to 1885; John J. Gheen, 1885 to 1888; 
Thomas W. Baldwin, 1888 to 1891; E. D. Bingham, 1891 to 1894; 
Joseph H. Baldwin, 1894 to 1897, and W. W. MacElree, 1897 to 
1900. 



542 CHESTER COUNTY 

It is not deemed necessary in this work to present a detailed 
account of the various crimes tiiat have been committed within 
the county; but it is necessary, as a matter of history, to note the 
degree and nature of the punishment meted out to criminals in 
the different periods of the county's history. In the earliest times 
the most common punishment for oi'dinary offenses was the inflic- 
tion of fines. But from 1714 to 1759 most of the sentences em- 
braced whipping as the chief feature of punishment for offenses of 
this kind, and usually consisted of "twenty-one lashes on the bare 
back well laid on.'' During this period there was no imi^risou- 
ment, and rarely was standing in the pilloiy resorted to. 

One of the noted crimes in the early day was the murder of 
Jonathan Hayes of Chester County by Hugh Pugh and Lazarus 
Thomas, the murderers being immediately apprehended and 
lodged in jail. This was in 1715, but their trial did not begin until 
near the beginning of the year 1718, when the Supreme Court was 
so constituted as to hold a Court of Oyer and Terminer for the 
purpose. Being found guilty they were sentenced to be executed. 
On May 18, 1718, asserting three legal defects in their conviction, 
they petitioned the Governor for a reprieve until the pleasure of 
the King could be ascertained, these three defects being that the 
jurj' had been composed of Quakers, who affirmed instead tak- 
ing an oath; that the act for the proper qualification of judges, 
juries and witnesses was passed after the supposed commission of 
the murder, and that the said act was contrary to the statutes of 
Great Britain. The Governor rejected the petition, and in so do- 
ing was sustained by "a majority of his council. The two mur- 
derers were ordered to be executed May 9, 1718. 

In April, 1728, John Winter and Walter Winter killed an In- 
dian and two squaws in the upper part of Chester County; war- 
rants were issued for their arrest, and they were soon safely lodged 
in jail at Chester, On June 19, 1728, they were guilty by a jury of 
twelve men, and sentenced to "be hanged by the necks until they 
and each of them be dead." 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 543 

On August 1, 1752, Joliu Thomas and Eleanor Davis were 
cruelly murdered in Tredyffrin Township by Bryan Doran, James 
Eice, alias Dillon, and Thomas Kelly. Rice and Kelly were soon 
afterward arrested, and tried November 27, 1752, the latter plead- 
ing guilty. Kice was executed December 9, 1752, and Kelly on 
the 16th of the same month. 

In 1764 a slave named Phebe, belonging to Joseph Richard- 
son, was sentenced to be hanged for burglariously enteriug the 
house of Thomas Barnard and stealing divers goods. 

On March 23, 1772, Patrick Kennedy, Thomas Fryer, Neal Mc- 
Oarriber and James Dever were convicted of a rape on Jane Wal- 
ker, committed November 30, 1771, and they each sentenced to 
death. Kennedy was ordered to be executed May 2, 1772, but the 
others were rej^rieved. 

On September 26, 1778, James Fitzpatrick was executed for 
burglary and larceny, of which he had been regularly convicted. 

In May, 1780, William Boyd, while in the discharge of his 
duty, as tax collector in Chester County, was murdered by John 
and Robert Smith, and on May 13, the Governor of the Common- 
wealth, Joseph Reed, offered a reward of |20,000 for their appre- 
hension. They were captured while en route to join the British 
army, by David Furmau, sheriff of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 
and were tried in Chester County, June 26, and executed July 1, 
1780. 

On November 2, 1784, Joseph Chalk, John McDonnell, and 
John Varnum, alias Benson, were executed for burglary. 

Since 1789, when Cliester County was reduced to its present 
limits, the following executions have been had: 

Hannah Miller for the murder of her infant child, tried at the 
May session, 1805, sentenced June 1, and executed in public Au- 
gust 1, 1805, under the direction of the sheriff, Jesse John. 

Edward Williams (colored), for the murder of his wife, tried 
at the November sessions, 1830, sentenced November 30, and exe- 
cuted in public December 31, 1830. 



544 CHESTER COUNTY 

Charles Bowman (colored), for the murder of Jonathan Mc- 
Euen, a blind fiddler, tried at the August session, 1834, sentenced 
August 25, and executed November 21, 1834. 

Jabez Boyd, for the murder of Wesley Patton, fourteen years 
old, tried at the July sessions, 1845, sentenced August 8, and exe- 
cuted November 21, 1845. 

George Pharaoh, for the murder of Rachel Sharpless, tried 
at the January Sessions, 1851, sentenced February 12, 1851, and 
executed August 29, 1851. 

Lewis Green (colored), for the murder of Jacob Marks, a ped- 
dler, generally known as Dutch Jake, tried at the August Sessions, 
1861, sentenced November 1, 18(11, and executed March 7, 18(i2. 

George Grant (colored), for the murder of Mrs. Amanda 
Spence (colored), tried at the October Sessions, 1871, sentenced 
January 31, 1872, and executed November 13, 1872. 

William Eachus Udderzook, for the murder of Wiufield Scott 
Goss, tried at the October Sessions, 1873, sentenced December 13, 
1873, and executed November 12, 1874. 

This was one of the famous murder trials of the country. 
Udderzook and Goss were brothers-in-law, having married sisters. 
They entered into a conspiracy to defraud insurance companies, 
Goss securing insurance on his life in several comjiauies for $25,- 
000. A dead body was then introduced into a frame shop in 
which Goss worked by himself near Baltimore, aud the building 
fii'ed and burned to the ground. Goss disappeared; it was given 
out that he was la.st seen in the burned building, aud the charred 
remains of the body of a man was found in the ruins. These re- 
mains Udderzook stated were those of Goss, and they were buried 
as such. 

The insurance companies were not satisfied that the remains 
were those (jf Goss, aud instituted inquiries with such success that 
they learned of a man whom they believed to be Goss in hiding 
under the assumed name of A. C. Wilson, and as it was impossible 



AND /7VS' PEOPLE. 545 

to keep Goss in hiding Udderzoolv detei'mined, in order to conceal 
bis part in the attempt to defraud, to take the life of his brother- 
in-law. Accordingly he decoj-ed him to Jeunerville, Chester 
Countj^ stabbed him to death, and buried the hodj in the woods. 
The body was discovered through the agency of buzzards. Udder- 
zook, suspected, was tried and executed as above stated. 

Since the execution of Udderzook there has been no one 
hanged in Chester County; but the pi'obabilities are that there will 
be an execution for murder in the near future. Jonas Preston, Jr., 
was tried at the April Sessions, 1898, for the murder of his wife, 
Ella Preston, in Peun Township. The defense set up was that of 
insanity, but Preston was convicted on April 28, of murder in the 
first degree, and if a new trial should not be granted, or if aa 
appeal to the Supreme Court should be without avail, he must be 
sentenced to hang. 

Robert Emmet Monaghan, formerly one of the leading mem- 
bers of the Chester County bar, was a son of James and Catherine 
(Streeper) Monaghan. He was born in West Whiteland Town- 
ship, Chester County. James Monaghan was engaged in tlu^ re- 
bellion with Robert Emmet, and this rebellion failed young Mon- 
aghan was compelled to flee to the United States, and died on his 
farm in Chester County in 1841. 

It was on this farm that Robert E. Monaghan was born and 
on it he remained until he was nearly twenty-one years of age. 
Receiving his preliminary education at the academies at Uniou- 
ville and at Xew Loudon in Chester County, and at the Strasburg 
Academy in Lancaster County, he then began life for himself as a 
school teacher, at twenty dollars per month. Being offered a posi- 
tion as collector on the Pennsylvania Canal at Liverpool, Perry 
County, he retained it three years, in the meantime reading law 
with Hon. Hamilton Aldricks of Harrisburg. He was admitted to 
the Chester County bar at West Chester, and there began the 
practice of the law, continuing in practice up to the time of his 
death, which occurred June 29, 1895. 



546 CHESTER COUNTY 

He served as a member of the borough council of West Ches- 
ter, and as a trustee of the West Chester State Normal School, for 
a few years being president of the board. He also served as 
president of the Cliester County Agricultural Society, and was in 
all the positions he filled faithful and efficient and trustworthy. 
In 1890 he was appointed by Governor Beaver a member of the 
joint commission from the States of Pennsylvania and Delaware, 
composed of himself, Hon. Wayne MacVeagh, W. H. Miller, from 
the foiTuer State, and Thomas F. Bayard, Dr. B. L. Lewis, and 
Hon. John H. Hoffecker from the latter State, the duties of these 
commissioners being to define, settle and mark the dividing line 
between the States, this subject being fully ti'eated in the chapter 
on the boundary lines of the State. 

William H. Dillingham, one of the foremost lawyers of Ches- 
ter County during the period he devoted to the lu'ofession, was 
born in Lee, Massachusetts, August 3, 1791. His preparatory 
educated was received at Lenox Academy, and when fifteen years 
of age he entered the sophomore class of Williams, remaining 
there as a student about a year and a half, and although he did 
not graduate, yet in 1815 his alma mater conferred upon him the 
honorary degi-ee of Master of Arts. In 1808 he began reading law 
in the office of Charles, Chauncey of Philadelphia, and in 1811 was 
admitted to the bar. Removing to West Chester in 1817 he there 
rapidly rose in his professioji, and was always prepared for trial. 
In 1821 he was appointed prosecuting attorney, holding the oflice 
a little more than two years. He was employed as solicitor of the 
Bank of Chester County for more than fifteen years, and in 1837 
was elected to the State Legislature, and in the fall of 1811 after a 
residence of nearly twenty-five years in West Chester, he returned 
to Philadelphia, and there spent the remainder of his days. 

Mr. Dillingham was a man of public spirit, and aided every 
good work that needed aid, the public schools, charitable institu- 
tions of all kinds, and scientific and literary societies always found 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 547 

in liim a frieud. Altlioujih the produotious of his own pen were 
not numerous, yet he contributed judicious essays to the leading 
journals of the times. His literary taste was refined, and his 
style was polished and terse. And it has been truly said of him 
that he touched nothing that he did not adorn. 

Townsend Haines, one of the most able and distinguished of 
the earlier citizens of Chester County, was born at West Chester, 
January 7, 1792. He was a son of Caleb Haines, a member of the 
Society of Friends, and one of their number that took the side of 
Great Britain in the Revolutionary War, after its close becoming 
a refugee in Xova Scotia, and remaining there until an act of Con- 
gress provided an amnesty for all cases of the kind. Then re- 
turning to West Chester he married Ann Ryant early in 17'J1, 
Townsend Haines being their eldest son. In October, 1809, young 
Townsend entered the school of Euorh Lewis at New Garden, 
where he imj^roved his knowledge of the various branches of 
higher mathematics up to and including trigonometry, and by this 
means became familiar with the processes of abstract reasoning, 
by which, if the premises are true, the conclusion is irresistible. 
In his latter life while engaged in the practice of the law he be- 
came fully convinced of this means of intellectual discipline, and 
to it was largely due his great measure of success. From his 
mother, who was a woman of taste and culture, he acquired a 
knowledge of elocution and rhetoric, which in his forensic efforts 
was of use to him, as was the development of his reasoning fac- 
ulties in the preparation of his cases. 

Removing to West Chester in 1815 he took lessons in Latin 
of Mr. Glass, with the view of entering the profession of t-he law. 
After a dilligeut course of study in the office of Judge Isaac Dar- 
lington, he was admitted to the bar February 7, 1818, but for some- 
time the law practice of the county was divided up among the 
older professionals, and he was compelled to be content with a 
small amount of business in the Orphans' Court, and with such 



548 CHESTER COUNTY 

criminal practice as came to bim. This latter class of practice 
brought him fame and popularity and led to the trial of jury cases 
in the Court of Common Pleas. In 1826 Mr. Haines was elected 
to the Legislature of the State, and was re-elected in 1827. Mr. 
Haines was a good lawj-er, excellent in the examination of wit- 
nesses, and powerful in the presence of a jury. He always ap- 
pealed to the better nature of a witness and not to his fears, fram- 
ing his questions in such a way as to elicit the truth without pro- 
ducing the feeling of humiliation even in a witness that was un- 
willing. He was equally considerate of the feelings of his fellow- 
attornej's, his conduct being so uniformly courteous and fair that 
no resentment was ever awakened. Mi'. Haines was an able man. 
The position he attained at the bar was the result of spontaneous 
action on his part; but the position he might have attained and 
which he knew he might attain, he studiously declined to strive 
for. He thought he could not afford the sacrifices such a struggle 
Wduld involve. He felt sure that his profession would sustain 
him, and for distinction, which he knew was practically in his 
grasp, he did not care. The prominence he acquired came to him 
unsought, and simply from the force of circumstances, whether 
that prominence were in the legal or political field. 

In 1846 Mr. Haines was a candidate for Congress on the Whig 
ticket, but was defeated by a single vote, his defeat being the nat- 
ural result of his opposition in previous years to Anti-Masonry. 
When William F. Johnson became Governor, he offered to Mr. 
Haines the position of Secretai*;^^ of the Commonwealth, which 
offer was accepted, and in 1850 he was appointed by President 
Taylor, Treasurer of the United States, and in the fall of 1851 ho 
was elected to the position of president judge of the Fifteenth 
Judicial District, composed then of the counties of Chester and 
Delaware, filling the office most acceptably for the ten years of the 
term. 

In February, 1865, his wife died, and he felt her loss vei'v 



A^^D ITS PEOPLE. 549 

severely. In September following he was himself taken ill, and 
rapidly sank to his death in October, in the seventy-fourth year 
of his age, respected and honored by all for his great ability, and 
for the upi-ightness and kindliness of his life. 

Hon. Joseph J. LeAvis, one of the ablest men of his time, and 
a lawyer of distinction, was born October 5, ISOl, at Westtown, 
Chester County. His education was received at the Westtown 
Boarding School, and in Philadelphia, where he studied Latin and 
Greek under Thomas Dugdale, and aftenvard he took charge for 
some time of the Chester County Academy in the Great Valley. 
In 1822 he was invited by Jonathan Gause to assist him in teach- 
ing mathematics in West Chester Academy. In 1824 he went to 
New York to complete his legal studies, and remained some time 
under the direction of Chancellor Kent, returning to West Chester 
in April, 1825, being admitted to the bar May 1, of that year. In 
1835 he was appointed deputy attorney-general for Chester County, 
and in 1844 he was again appointed to the same position. He took 
a leading part in politics and in 1800 aided largely in securing the 
nomination of Abraham Lincoln for Presidency of the United 
States. From March, 18G3, to July, 1865, he held the office of com- 
missioner of internal revenue, and drafted many important acts 
necessary for the eflftcient working of the internal revenue system. 

Taking him all and all there were few men more useful to 
their fellow-citizens than was Mr. Lewis, and his death was sin- 
cerely mourned by all that knew him. 

Joseph Hemphill, formerly a lawyer of Chester County, and 
one of the deputy attorney-generals for Chester County, was a 
worthy descendant of honorable ancestry. Alexander Hemphill, 
great-grandfather of Joseph Hemphill, came from the north of 
Ireland in the early part of the Eighteenth Century, and settled in 
Thornbury Township, Chester County. Joseph Hemphill, the eld- 
est son of Alexander, married Amy Wills, and by her had eight 
children, the eldest of whom was also named Joseph. The latter 



55b CHESTER COUNTY 

Joseph Hemphill was an able lawyer, and served as a member of 
the Seventh, Sixteenth, Nineteenth and Twenty-first Congresses, 
and for fourteen years presided over the district court for the 
coiinty and city of Philadelphia. 

Joseph Hemphill, father of the present president judge of 
Chester County, was a prominent and distinguished member of 
the Chester County bar. He was born in West Chester December 
7, 1807, and received his classical education at the hands of such 
teachers as Jonathan (lause, and Joshua Hoopes of Chester 
County, and James W. Eobbius of Lennox, Massachusetts. He 
read law with his brother-in-law, Hon. Thomas S. Bell, was ad- 
mitted to the bar August 3, 1829, and immediately afterward 
began the practice of the law. Being an industrious and an hon- 
est man he rapidly rose in his profession and soon won a place 
among the most prominent and successful members of the Chester. 
County bar. His career extended from his admission to the bar in 
1829 to 1870, and while he was always watchful of the interests 
of his clients, yet he was at the same time always fair to his 
opponents. From 1839 to 181.5 he was deputy attorney-general for 
Chester County, and he was nominated by the Democrats in 18(51 
for i^resideut judge in a district then composed of Chester and 
Delaware Counties, but was defeated at the polls, though no one 
doubted his peculiar fitness for the place. _ His death occurred 
February 11, 1870, and on that day numerous deserved tributes 
of respect were paid to his memory, by Wayne MacVeagh, William 
B. Waddell, Eobert E. Monaghan and othei's. His loss was 
greatly felt by all that knew him. 

Hon. William Darlington, born October 19, 1801, studied law 
with his brother, Judge Isaac Darlington, and was admitted to 
the bar January 31, 1826. From this time until his death, which 
occurred December 6, 1879, he was devoted to his profession, 
which has always been looked upon as "a jealous mistress." 
While he occasionally engaged in the trial of cases before the 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 553 

District Court of the United States at Pliiladelphia, yet his princi- 
pal practice was confined to the county courts of Eastern Penn- 
sylvania. He served as deputy attorney-general for Chester 
County from 1835 to 183S, but he preferred legal scieuce to crimi- 
nal jurisprudence, and as a consequence enjoyed a lucrative prac- 
tice. In 1837 he was elected a member of the State convention to 
remodel the Constitution, and he was also elected to represent the 
people of his county in the Constitutional Convention of 1873, 
His leading characteristics were courage, sagacity, equanimity, 
aptness, precision, brevity and force, an array of qualities which 
should make any man a formidable antagonist, and at the same 
time a powerful friend. He was most emphatically a scorner of 
cant, bigotry and hypocrisy, and though he had a birthright in 
the Society of Friends, yet beyond that he had no connection with 
any religious denomination. He was not in the ordinary accepta- 
tion of the term an educated man, but his success in life demon- 
strates the fact that college training, though of inestimable value 
to a man of sound mind and of lofty ambition, is not always essen- 
tial to the attainment of distinction among one's fellow men. But 
without natural ability no man can greatl.y distinguish himself. 
He was the youngest child in a family of twelve, but notwithstand- 
ing this he acquired the greatest estate of them all. While he 
did not, as many men do, mingle with the masses of the people, 
yet he was unusually and deservedly popular aud highly respected 
by all. 

Uriah V. Pennypacker, third sou of Joseph and Elizabeth 
(Funk) Pennypacker, was born in Schuylkill Township, Chester 
County, October 6, 1809. His father was a farmer and the family 
were Mennonites, descendants of a Dutch emigrant, Heiurich Pen- 
nebaker, who had settled in Moutgoraery County about 171'3. 
Uriah was a pupil at the Union School-house in Charlestown Town- 
ship during the winter seasons, aud was an interested listener to 
all debates held therein in the evenings. At eighteen years of age 
32 



554 CHESTER COUNTY 

he spent one session at the West Chester Academy, taught then 
by Jonathan Gaiise, and the following year began the study of 
law Avith his uncle, Matthias Pennypacker, a member of the Ches- 
ter County bar, and he was admitted to the bar after three years' 
study. He possessed a prodigious memory, and in a short time 
was noted for his vast and exact knowledge of the law and where 
to find it. He could repeat, verbatim, every definition in Black- 
stone. In 1834 he married Mary Fisher Wheeler, of West Chester. 
About that time the First Baptist Church of West Chester was 
founded, Mr. Pennj-packer being a charter member. He was 
active in the formation of the Central Union Association of Bap- 
tist Churches. In politics he was an energetic Whig and retained 
during all his life an intense interest in public affairs. His rise 
in his profession was rapid, and for more than twenty years the 
Reports of the Supreme Court attested his zeal, his skill and his 
learning. His manner was easy and graceful and his presentation 
of a case to a court or a jury was clear, concise and convincing. 
He enjoyed the marked confidence of his friends and neighbors, 
and was so liberal and considerate in his views that all parties 
supported him when he was twice elected chief burgess of West 
Chester. He was six feet seven inches in height, and used to re- 
mark facetiously that he "stood highest at the bar." His love of 
humor was great and his sayings and his stories were the delight 
of many a Chester County audience. 

Ill health diminished his ability to work, and the last ten 
years of his life witnessed a gradual relinquishment of business 
cares. He died August 16, 1867, and was buried at Oakland Cem- 
etery, surviving his wife six years. He was one of a group of 
great lawyers, who had made the bar of Chester County famous 
for learning, integrity and ability, and for a high sense of per- 
sonal and professional honor. In all the relations of life he was 
careful and exact, and at his death he was mourned by the bar, by 
the church and by the community of which he had so long formed 
a conspicuous part. His son is Charles H. Pennypacker. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 5SS 

Charles H. Pennypacker, one of the ablest members of the 
Chester County bar, was born in West Chester, April 10, 1845. 
Having received his preliminary and preparatory education in the 
public schools of hi.s native city and in West Chester Academy, he 
then attended Philips Exeter Academy, at Exeter, New Hamp- 
shire, which he left in 1802. In December, 1803, he married Mrs. 
Elizabeth A. Passmore, widow of Levis Passmore, formerly of 
West Marlborough, Chester County. Mrs. Pennypacker, while a 
young lady, attended and graduated from the Friends' Westtown 
Boarding-school, and she has been for nine years a school director 
in West Chester. 

Mr. Pennypacker studied law with his father, Uriah Y. Penny- 
packer, until his father died, and then with William B. Waddell, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1869. He was admitted to the 
i^upreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1870, and to the Supreme Court 
of the United States in 1888. He has tried hundreds of cases in 
all the courts mentioned, and the first case argued by him before 
the Supreme Court of the State is repox'ted at length in Twentieth 
P. F. Smith. In 1873 he was counsel for the insurance com- 
panies in the celebrated Udderzook murder trial. 

His uncle, after whom he was named, was a distinguished 
lawyer of South AYest Yirginia, having studied law with Y'illiam 
Eawle of Philadelphia. His maternal grandfather, Dr. Thomas 
Ruston, was a graduate of the college of Nassau Hall, Princeton, 
New Jersey, and was the first American graduate of the medical 
department of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. 

Mr. Pennypacker has devoted many years to the study of sev- 
eral of the modern languages, especially the English. He has 
lectured in several of the States of the Union, and has writteu 
many articles for leading magazines and other periodicals. Dur- 
ing his entire life he has taken great interest in natural science, 
especially mineralogy, conchology and chemistrj-, and has had 
correspondence with reference to these subjects with leading 



556 CHESTER COUNTY 

scientists in all parts of the world, who have furnished him ma- 
terial for the purposes of examination and identification. Mr. 
Pennypaoker is a member of the Microscopical Society of Liver- 
pool, England, and of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila- 
delphia. He was one of the founders of the West Chester Philo- 
sophical Society, and has lectured before it many times. 

Mr. and Mrs. Pennypacker have had four children, as follows: 
Levis Passmore, a graduate of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Insti- 
tute at Troy, New York, in the class of 1888, and now a civil engi- 
neer engaged in his profession in Guatemala, where he has re- 
sided five years; Henry, a graduate of Harvard t^niversity in the 
class of 1888, and now a Master in the Boston Latin School, Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts, where he has resided for the last five years; 
Joseph Albert, accidentally killed when twenty years of age while 
residing in Salvador, Central. America, and Blanche, who died in 
infancy. 

Alfred P. Eeid, one of the most prominent members of the bar 
of Chester County, was born in Highland Township, Chestei' 
County, September 3, 1842, and grew up on his father's farm. His 
early education was secured at Parkesburg, Coatesville and West 
Chester, and he then entered Lafayette College, graduating from 
this institution in 1861. Beading law with Judge J. Smith Futhey 
he was admitted to the bar August 11, 1860, and has ever since 
been engaged in the successful practice of his i>rofession in West 
Chester, though that practice extends into the adjoining counties 
and thus brings him in contact with the ablest legal minds in the 
State. Possessed of a fair, logical and judicial mind, his argu- 
ments are always of weight with the court and his influence is felt 
by all the judges on the bench. Outside of his regular profession 
Mr. Eeid has given much time to banking, and is recognized as an 
able financier. He has been president and vice-president of sev- 
eral diiJerent banks, among them the First National Bank of 
West Chester, to the presidency of which he was elected soon after 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 557 

the death of President Wollerton. By hiss abilitj', energy and in- 
tegrity he has won for himself a distinguished position in the pro- 
fession of the law and also in the financial world. 

Col. Hamilton H. Gilkyson, of Phoenixville, one of the most 
successful members of the Chester County bar, is a son of James 
and Anna (Henry) Gillvyson, and was born in December, 1S4S, at 
Doylestowu, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. James Gilkyson, his 
father, was of Irish ancestry, and was for many years a prominent 
practitioner at the bar of Bucks County, and served for a number 
of years as district attorney of that county. 

Hamilton H. Gillvyson received his education at private 
schools in Doylestowu and at Pennington Seminary in New Jer- 
sey, graduating from the latter institution in 1804. For several 
years afterAvard he was engaged n the West as a teacher and in 
business as a merchant. Eeturning to Pennsjdvania he read law 
in the office of his father in Doylestowu, being admitted to the bar 
in 1872. He immediately afterward established himself in prac- 
tice in Pho'nixville and has there been successfull.y engaged ever 
since, pi'acticing in the courts of Montgomery and Philadelphia 
Counties, and is well known in all three counties as a careful, 
painstaking and able attorney, always thoroughly preparing him- 
self for the trial of cases before going into court. 

During the early history of Chester County, or say prior to 
1750, there were but few attorneys at law within its limits. The 
method of bringing cases into court also seems to have been dif- 
ferent from what it is at the present time, the parties interested 
being permitted to make their presentations in person or through 
a friend. In June, 1(;77, it was ordered in the Upland Court that 
all declarations must be entered at least the day before the court, 
and that no person be admitted to plead for any other person as 
an attorney in court without first having his admittance of the 
court or a warrant of attorney for so doing from his client. 

While many persons appeared in behalf of others, those ap- 



558 CHESTER COUXTY 

peariug not being familiar with the law, yet there were the follow- 
ing who were admitted to practice or who practiced in the conrts 
of the county prior to 1750: In 1683, John White and Abraham 
Mann; in 1698, John Moore and David Lloyd; in 1726, Ralph Asshe- 
ton, John Kinsey, Peter Evans, Francis Sherrard and Joseph 
Growdon, Jr.; in 1730, Alexander Keith; in 1734, William Eawle; 
1735, John Eoss, James Hamilton, John Eobinson, Thomas Hop- 
kinson; 1736, Alexander Piercey, James Keating and Andrew Ham- 
ilton; 1738, William Assheton; 1739, WMlliam Peters; 1740, John 
Webb; 1741, Tench Francis, Edmund Ackworth, Neil Harris; 
1742, Eobert Hartshorne, Eichard Peters, John Mather and James 
Eead; 1743, John Moland and Townsend White; 1744, David Ed- 
wards; 1745, Benjamin Price; 1747, John Lawrence; 1748, Edward 
Shippen, Jr.; 1749, Joseph Galloway and John Evans. 

Following is a list of those admitted from 1750 to 1776: 
17.52, David Finney; 1753, Thomas Otway, John Price, Will- 
iam Morris, Jr.; 1754, Benjamin Chew; 1755, Samuel Johnson, 
Thomas McKean, David Henderson, William Whitebred; 1756, 
George Eoss, John Armond; 1760, Jcdm Morris; 1763, Nicholas 
Wain, James Tilghman; 1764, Hugh Hughes, John Currie, Elisha 
Price, Lindsay Coates; 1765, Andrew Allen, Alexander Porter, 
Nicholas Vandyke, Alexander Wilcocks, Joshua Yeates,' Stephen 
Porter, Eichard Peters, Jr., James Biddle, James Allen, Henry 
Elwes, James Loyre; 1766, Isaac Hunt, David Thompson, James 
Vandyke; 1767, William Hicks, James Wilson; 1769, Jacob Eush, 
Miers Fisher, Daniel Clymer, John Euley, Stephen Watts; 1770, 
Abel Evans, Thomas Good, James Lukens; 1773, Joseph Eead, 
George Noarth, Jacob Bankson, Francis Johnson, Asheton Hum- 
phreys; 1772, Eichard Tilghman, John Lawrence, Peter Zacliary 
Lloyd; 1773, Christian Hook, William L. Blair, Phineas Bond, John 
Stedman, John McPherson, William Lewis; 1774, Edward Tilgh- 
man, Gunning Bedford; 1775, Andrew Eobeson, John Vannost; 
1776, William Prince Gibbs, Collinson Eead. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 559 

Of those above named Beujamin Chew was one of the most 
prominent. In 1755 he became attorney-general of the Province 
and he was president judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Phila- 
delphia. From 1774 to 177G he was chief justice of the Supreme 
Court of the Province, and from 1790 to ISOG he was president of 
the High Court of Errors and Appeals, this court being abolished 
in 1806, upon the reorganization of the judiciary department. 

Another prominent man whose name is in the above list was 
Thomas McKean. He was born in New London Township, Ches- 
ter County, March 19, 1734, and in 1757 was elected to the Assem- 
bly of the Province. From 1762 to 1769 he was a member of the 
Assembly from New Castle County, In 1765 assisting in framing 
the address of the colonies to the House of Commons of England. 
He was elected a delegate to the first Provincial, or "Stamp Act,*' 
Congress, which was dissolved October 24, 1765. In 1774 he was 
elected a member of the Continental Congress, and was annually 
re-elected until 1783. In 1778 he was a member of the convention 
which framed the Articles of Confederation, and in 1781 he was 
president of Congress. He Avas a member of the Pennsylvania 
convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States. 
He had signed the Declaration of Independence and had served 
during a part of the War of the Revolution under Washington, in 
command of a battalion. He was Governor of Pennsylvania from 
1798 to 1808, and was distinguished as one of the ablest men of his 
time. His death occurred June 24, 1817. 

One more of the above-named attorneys was an unusually able 
man, Hon. James Wilson, and was distinguished as being both a 
great lawyer and a great orator. He was a signer of the Declara- 
tion of Independence, was a member of the convention which 
framed the Constitution of the United States, and in 1789 he was 
appointed by President Washington an Associate Justice of the 
Supreme Court of the United States, holding the office until his 
death in 1798. One of his sons, Eev. Bird Wilson, LL. D., D. D., 
was one of the most prominent lawyers and divines of the early 



56o CH ESTER COUXTV 

day. He was born in 1777, and in 1806 was appointed by Gov- 
ernor McKean president jndsje of tlie judicial district composed 
of Chester, Delaware, Bucks and Montgomery Counties, holding 
the office until 1818, when he became a clergyman of the Episcopal 
Church. Ordained deacon by Bishop William White, D. D., March 
12, 1810, he became a priest in 1820. After about a year's rector- 
.ship of the Episcopal Church at Norristown he became a professor 
in tlie Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in NeAV York, 
and occupied this position twenty-nine years. He died April 14, 
1859, aged eight^'-two years. 

Following is a list of the attorneys admitted to the bar of 
Chester County from 1776 to 1800, some of Avhom it will be seen 
were readmitted after the Eevolutionary War, none being permit- 
ted to practice law except those who supported the order of things 
brought about by that war: 

1777. — John Morris, Andrew liobeson, ^VilliaIll Lewis, Will- 
iam L. Blair, John Kaley. 

1778. — George Boss, Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, Jacob 
Bush, Elisha Price, Alexander Wilcocks, Gunning Bedford, John 
Pancoast. 

1779. — Edward Burd, Francis Johnston, Henry Osborne, 
CJeorge Campbell, Jacob Baukson, Jared Ingersoll, William Brad- 
ford, Jr. 

1780. — Moses Levy. 

1781. — Nicholas Vandyke, John Coxe, William Moore Smith, 
John Lawrence, Nathaniel Potts. 

1782.— Joseph Eeed, John F. Mifflin, Daniel Clymer, John ^^in- 
ing. 

1783. — John Wilkes Kittera, Henry H. Graham, William 
Kawle. 

1781. — William Ewing. 

1785. — Peter Zachary Lloyd, Jacob E. Howell, Thomas Eoss, 
James Hanna, John Andra Hanna, Joseph B. McKean, .John Todd. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 561 

1786. — Eobert Hodson, Charles Smith, John Young', Benjamin 
Chew, Jr., B. II. Morgan, .Jr., Bichard Wharton, Thomas Mem- 
mi nger. 

1787. — David Smith, James Wade, John Joseph Henry, Will- 
iam E. Atlee, W. Montgomery, Sampson Levy, James Hopkins, 
Samuel Roberts, Samuel Bayard, Matthias Baldwin, James A. 
Bayard. 

1788. — Thomas Armstrong, Peter S. Duponceau, Jasper 
Yeates, Peter Hoofnagle, Joseph Hubley, William Graham. 

1789. — John Hallowell, Joseph Thomas, Robert Porter, Charles 
Healty, Anthony Morris, John Craig Wells, John Cadwallader, 
John Moore. 

1790. — Thomas B. Dick, Abraham Chapman, .John Thompson, 
Marks John Biddle, David Moore, Isaac Telfair. 

1791. — Robert Henry Dnrkin, Seth Chapman. 

1792. — Miles Merion, Robert Frazer, John Price. 

1793. — Thomas W. Tallman, John H. Brinton, Evan Rice 
Evans, Joseph Hemphill, Michael Kepple, John Shippen, Henry 
Kelmuth, A. W. Foster. 

1794. — Jacob Richards, Joseph B. Hopkinson, William Martin. 

1795. — J. Harvey Hurst, James Hunter, Jr., James Milner, 
James Lattimer, Jr., John Cloyd, Joseph Reid, Isaac Wayne. 

1797. — W. Lee Hannum. 

1798.— C. Chauncey, Jr. 

1799.— Jonathan T. Haight, John Taylor, William Hemphill. 

Jacob Rush, mentioned above as having been admitted in 1778, 
was a brother of Dr. Benjamin Rush. He was president judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia, of the Court of Errors 
and Appeals, and also of the Supreme Court. John Lawrence and 
John Coxe were judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadel- 
phia, and Moses Levy was president of the District Court of I'hila- 
delphia. Jonathan D. Sergeant was a member of the Provincial 
Congress, and was attorney-general of the State from 1777 to 1780. 



562 CHESTER COUNTY 

William Bradford, after whom Bradford County was named, be- 
came attorneY-general in 1780, and was one of the judges of the 
Supreme Court of the State from 1791 to 1794, becoming in the lat- 
ter year attorney-general of the United States by appointment by 
President Washington. Jared Ingersoll, admitted to the Chester 
County bar in 1779, was twice attorney-general of Pennsylvania, 
and was president judge of the District Court of Philadelphia at the 
time of his death. Joseph B. McKean, a son of Governor McKean, 
succeeded Jared Ingersoll as attornej'-general, and also served as 
president of the District Court of Philadelphia. Jasper Yeates 
became one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the State, and 
Seth Chajjmau became a district judge. 

Following is a list of the attorneys admitted to the bar of 
Chester County from 1800 to the breaking out of the War of the 
l^bellion in ISGl: 

1800. — Jonathan W. Condy, John Sergeant, T. Barton Zantzin- 
ger and William Dewees. 

ISOl. — Isaac Darlington. 

1803. — James D. Barnard, Thomas Sergeant, Samuel Jacobs, 
John Ewing Porter. 

1804.— John Duer. 

1806.— John Edwards, Charles W. Humphrey. 

1807.— Eeuben Eachus. 

1808.- Ziba Pyle. 

1809. — Jefferis Moore, Matthias Morris and Daniel Addis. 

1810.— Blaithwaite J. Shober, Archibald T. Dick. 

1811.— Philip S. Markley, Michael W. Ash, 

1813. — Benjamin Tilghman, Thomas Breintnall. 

1814. — James Madison Porter, William B. Smith, Clement B. 
Buckley, Henry Shii^pen, John Kerlin, Benjamin Evans. 

1815. — George B. Porter, Samuel Edwards. 

1816.— George C. Willing, William H. Dillingham, Isaac D. 
Barnard, Thomas Kittera, Thomas A. Maybin. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 563 

ISIS. — Towusend Haines. 

1S19. — Jesse Conard. 

1820.— William WilliamsoD. 

1821.— William S. Haines, David Paul Brown, Thomas S. Bell, 
Edward Darlington, Henry II. Van Ami'inge, John Freedley and 
Samuel Parke. 

1822.- Abraham Marshall. 

1821.— Daniel Buekwalter, John D. Pettit. 

182.5. — Matthias Pennypacker, Francis James, .Joseph J. Lewis, 
Lewis G. Pearce, Owen Stover. 

182G. — Benjamin Bartholomew, William Darlington, James M. 
Kinnard, Davis H. Hoopes. 

1827.— John K. Zellin, Levi B. Smith. 

1828.- William McK. Ball, John H. Bradley, Kobert B. Dod- 
son, James A. Hemphill, .James S. Tongue. 

1829.— Mark Denny, Joseph Hemphill, Kichard Bailey, P. Fra- 
zer Smith. 

1830.— Lea Bennett, John Butter. 

1831. — Volney Lee Maxwell, Uriah V. Pennypacker. 

1832.— John H. Briuton. 

1833. — .John Hickman. 

1831. — Horatio G. Worrall. 

1835. — Addison May. 

1836.— William Wheeler. 

1839.— Ferdinand E. Hayes. 

1840.— William Penn Miner, James H. Bull, B. Franklin Pyle. 

1812.— John S. Bowen, George W. Pearce, Matthew A. Stanley. 

1813.— J. Smith Futhey, James Davis, Joseph B. Townsend, 
William M. Bull, Howard Darlington. 

1811.— John M. Broomall, Isaac D. Pyle, Washingtcm Town- 
send, John P. Baily, Edward H. Williamson, Samuel B. Thomas, 
Thomas H. Speakman. 

1815.— James B. Everhart, Joseph P. Wilson, James A. Gil- 



564 CHESTER COUXTY 

more, William G. Smith, William Parker Foulke, William Butler. 

1846.— William E. Barber, William Nicholson, Thomas P. 
Potts, W. Eoss Cunuiugham, Henry C. Townsend. 

1847. — James P. Fleming, Paschall Woodward. 

1848. — Robert E. Monaghan, Joseph R. Morris, Samuel Rush, 
Robert Frazer, James M. Meredith, James L. Jones. 

1849. — Ezra Lewis, Edward Shippen, Jesse Landis, John F. 
Roberts, Charles H. Garber. 

1850. — Franklin Pennington, Clinton Auge. 

1851. — Francis Darlington, A. Herr Smith. 

1852.— William Bell Waddell, William L. Marshall, Jesse 
Bishop, Levi Kimes. 

1853.— EdAvard J. Lewis, Charles D. Manley, AYilliam H. Dar- 
lington. 

1854. — B. Markley Boyer, James Merrill Linn. 

1855. — W. Arthur Jackson. 

1856. — Wayne MacVeagh. 

1857. — James J. Creigh, Egbert K. Nichols, George W. Conar 
roe, Samuel M. Du Bois, Francis C. Hooton. 

1858.— George M. Roberts, Cheyney W. Xeilds, Henry M. Mc- 
Intire. 

1859. — Thomas S. Bell, Jr., George M. Rupert. 

I860.— William T. Haines, Henry W. Carruthers, John J. Pink- 
erton, W. M. Hinkson, Gardner Furness, George W. Wollaston and 
J. C. Price. 

Following is a list of the attorneys admitted to the bar since 
1860: 

1861.— William T. Fulton. 

1862. — Oliver Sidwell, Henry C. Bergstresser. 

1863. — John J. Pyle, Abraham Wagner, Elbridge Meconkey, 
David Ruth. 

1864. — Rees Davis, Joseph Hemphill, George F. Smith, Will- 
iam W. Hayes, John A. McCaughey. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 565 

1865.— Joseph Beale, William J. Gibsou, William H. White- 
head, James Alien Morris. 

1866.— Augustus J. Feather, Nimrod Strickland, Jr., Alfred P. 
Keid, liobert T. Cornwell. 

1867.— William T. McPhail, Joseph W. Barnard. 

1869. — Charles H. Pennypacker. 

1870.— Joseph T. Perdue, D. Smith Talbot. 

1871. — Abner Pjle, Thomas W. Pierce, Samuel D. Ramsey, 
William S. Windle. 

1872.— Andrew C. Fulton, William B. Keid, Henry H. Gilky- 
son, Charles Wesley Talbot, Francis Windle, B. F. McAtee. 

1873. — George L. Maris, Kobert J. Monaghan, Isaac Newton 
Wynu, Frederick S. Dickson, John B. Kinnard. 

1871. — William E. Dingee, Curtis H. Hannum. 

1875.- Theodore K. Stubbs, Thomas B. Taylor. 

1876. — Ezra Evans, John A. Groff, William T. Barber. 

1877.— Thomas S. Butler, Archibald D. Thomas, H. T. Fair- 
lamb. 

1878. — John Jay Gheen, J. Newton Huston, Edward D. Bing- 
ham. 

1879. — James Monaghan, William N. Needles, Jr. 

1880. — Samuel H. Holding, George B. Johnson, Wilmer W. 
MacElree. 

1881. — John Austin Purcell, Benjamin Miller, Leonard R. 
Thomas. 

1882.— William Rhoads Murphy. 

1883.— J. Frank E. Hause, Thomas W. Baldwin. 

1884.— Archibald McCall Holding, Arthur T. Parke. 

1885.— Robert Scott Waddell, Wallace Scott Harlan, William 
Butler, Jr., Barton Darlington, N. Warren Talbot. 

1886.— Henry P. Waitueight. 

1887.— S. Duffield Mitchell, William S. Harris. 

1888.— R. E. M. Strickland, William W. Montgomery, Wilbur 
S. Yearsley. 



566 CHESTER COUNTY \ 

1889. — Gibbons Gray Cornwell, Joseph H. Baldwin. 

1890.— Joseph McClellan Bell. 

1891. — Thomas Lack, John Russell Hayes. 

1892.— J. Carroll Hayes. 

1893.— John Noble Guss, Hector Lee Ball. 

1897. — Isabel Darlington, Carroll Brinton Jacobs. 

1898.— George S. Dewees. 

The Chester County I^aw and Miscellaneous Library Associa- 
tion was organized December 1, 1861, by the members of the 
Chester County bar. The first meeting of the association was held 
at the office of Joseph J. Lewis, who presided over the meeting, 
and William B. Waddell was the secretary. After the adoption 
of the constitution Joseph J. Lewis was chosen president of the 
association, and George M. Iiupert, secretary, treasurer and libra- 
rian. The first executive committee was composed of J. Smith 
Futhey, William B. AVaddell and TS'ashington Townsend. 

January 22, 1877, at an annual meeting Joseph J. Lewis, 
William Darlington and William B. Waddell were appointed to 
secure the grand jury room for the use of the association, report- 
ing to the association on the 25th of the same month at a special 
meeting that an arrangement had been effected with the com- 
missioners of the county for the use of the room. This room was 
in the northwest corner of the old court-house, and is now used 
for the cotirts of Judges Hemphill and Butler. 

At an annual meeting of the association held June 5, 1891, a 
motion carried in favor of the enlargement, the initial movement 
having this object in view, and on January 4, 1892, the committee 
on enlargement reported that the plans had been completed and 
the erection of the addition or annex begun. May 13, 1893, at a 
special meeting, William B. Waddell announced that the room as- 
signed to the library association, which is in the south end of the 
annex, was ready for occupation, and the books were soon after- 
ward removed thereto. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 567 

The libraiT- at the present time contains the following classes 
of books: The statutes of the State of Pennsylvania from the earl- 
iest times clown to the present; all the Pennsylvania State reports, 
and most of the side bar reports from the earliest times; all the 
British common law and equity reports commencing with Lord 
Coke in 1562 and coming down to the present time; the reports 
of the States of New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts; re- 
ports of the courts of various other States; a complete series of 
the reports of the Supreme Court of the United States; numerous 
editions of general reports covering the entire jurisdiction of the 
United States and Great Britain; and editions of text books cov- 
ering all branches of the law. This also contains numerous curi- 
osities of legal literature in the form of old black letter volumes 
setting forth the functions of justices of the peace, etc., as they 
were defined in the earliest times, obtained by Judge Hemphill 
from the British Museum. There are also bound volumes of the 
American Republican from its earliest issues down to the war of 
the Rebellion, and numerous miscellaneous works. The number 
of volumes of all kinds now in the library is 6,745. 

The officers of the association at the present time are as fol- 
lows: William M. Hayes, president; Thomas Lack, secretary and 
treasurer, and A. M. Holding, librarian. The executive com- 
mittee consists of A. P. Reid, J. J. Pinkerton and J. Frank E. 
Hause. 












J^X^^<j' 









CHAPTER XIV. 

MINING AND MANUFACTURING, 



33 



CHAPTER XIV. 

MINING AND MANUFACTURING FIRST IRON MINES OPENED — LEAD MINING 

BOGUS MONEY FURNACES THE LAW OF I750 — SLITTING AND ROLLING 

MILLS FORGES — ^PRODUCTS — BLISTER STEEL CANNON CAST LATER 

EXPERIMENTS IN STEEL RECENT IRON WORKS — ORE DEPOSITS — 

COPPER— MARBLE OTHER STONE VARIOUS MANUFACTUR- 
ING ESTABLISHMENTS PERSONAL NOTES. 

IT appears to be certainly true that one of the first miners of 
lead in Chester County, if not the first, was Charles Pickering, 
after whom, as stated elsewhere in this work, Pickering Creek 
was named, and also Charlestown Township. Charles Pickering 
was an Englishman, and owned land in the above-named town- 
ship and also in Schu.ylkill Township. He had for his principal 
assistant a man named Samuel Buckley, whose house was situated 
on Zachariah Acker's farm in Schuylkill Township. These two 
men in addition to mining lead also obtained silver to some ex- 
tent, by melting the galena in an ordinary forge, and from the 
silver thus obtained they manufactured silver coins, using copper 
as their alloy, or "allay," as it was called at that time. For this 
offense Messrs. Pickering and Buckley were tried before Governor 
William Penn and a council, consisting of Thomas Holmes, Lasse 
Cock, William Biles, William Clayton, Chr. Taylor, and John Sym- 
cock, the trial commencing on the 24:th of the 8th mo., 1683. 

On this day Governor William Penn informed the board that 
it was convenient that warrant should be sent from the board 
to apprehend some persons upon suspicion of putting away bad 
money. The first person called on to testify was Robert Felton, to 
whom the question was put as to whether he had received any 

573 



574 CHESTER COUXTY 

silver of Charles Pickering "to Quine for Lim." He answered: 
"Yes, twenty-four pounds of Bard silver.'' He also said that he 
made the scales and that Charles Pickering and Samuel Buckley 
helped him. The next question asked him was: "What did they 
add to the allay of the 15 lb. 2 oz. of silver?'' He answered: 
"About 4 oz. of copi)er." "And what to the 9 lb. of silver?'' 
"About 3 or i oz. of copper," but he could not be exact, however, 
as to the allay, because they did sometimes put in more than he 
knew of. Robert Felton also said that he had no silver brought 
to him but by the persons above named, and he "scroopled to do 
it, the silver having already been allayed, and if they did not put 
more copper in it they would lose by it, and they said they would 
Bare him out in what he did for them." 

The Governor then told Charles Pickering and Samuel Buck- 
ley of their abuse to the government in "Quining" of Spanish bitts 
and Boston money, to the great damage and abuse of the subjects 
thereof, and he asked them if they were guilty of the fact. They 
confessed they had put off some of those new bitts, but they said 
that all their money was as good silver as any Spanish money, 
but they denied that they had any hand in the matter of "quining." 
Charles Pickering said he would stand by and be tried, and he 
declared that he had heard John Rush swear that he spent half 
his time in making the bitts. 

The Governor then asked Samuel Buckley if he had not helped 
to melt money and to put in some of the copper allaj- into the 
silver more than should be, and to have been at the stamping of 
new bitts and striking on the stamp. Samuel Buckley confessed 
that "he had been guilty of somewhat of that," and also that he 
had knowledge as to the amount of copper put into the silver that 
was melted. He also admitted that he had helped Charles Pick- 
ering's man to melt the silver and to strike the hammer and to see 
the silver, and to disperse some of the bitts, more or less. He 
also confessed that there was more copper put into the silver than 
there should be. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 575 

Cliarles Pickering and Saninel Buckley were then required to 
give bail in the sum of £500 each to appear at the next opening 
of the court, which was the next day, when it was ordered that 
an indictment be brought against them both. Griffith Jones testi- 
fied against Mr. Pickering, as also did Mary Bartholomew. The 
grand jury brought in the indictment, and the petit jury taking 
the case, in a short time brought in a verdict of guilty as they 
were indicted. 

The Governor then imposed sentence on Charles Pickering to 
the effect that he should make full satisfaction of good and current 
pay to every person that should within one month bring in any 
of this false, base and counterfeit "coyne," according to their 
respective proportions, and the money should be melted down into 
gross before it was returned to him, and that he should pay a 
line of £J:0 into the court toward the building of a new court-house 
in that city, and should stand committed until the hue was paid, 
and that afterward he should find security for his good "abear- 
ance." 

Then Samuel Buckley was sentenced, but "being considered 
more Engenious than he that went before, they hath thought fit 
to fine thee £10 toward the public court-house, and that thee find 
good security as to thy good abearance." 

Kobert Felton was sentenced to stand in the stocks one hour 
the next morning. 

The proclamation of the Governor notifying all that held 
auy of the spurious or counterfeit coin to bring it in within one 
month was issued on the 27th of that month. 

As stated above, Pickering Creek was named after Charles 
Pickering. It had been formerly named "Vincent River.'' French 
Creek was also called ^'inceut Kiver, but at what time the change in 
name was made in ethier case is not now known. Sir Francis 
Vincent was a large laud owner in that part of the county in those 
days, and the two streams must have been named after him. 



576 CHESTER COUXTY 

The most valuable mineral in Chester Connty is its iron ore, 
which is found in various parts of the county and has been rained 
for many years. This industry began in 171t>, Thomas llutter 
establishing the industry at Pool Forge, three miles above Potts- 
town. In 1718 Samuel Nutt took out patents for 400 acres of land 
in one place and 800 acres in another, on French Creek. The 
400 acres here mentioned is believed to be the property now 
owned by I. J. Brower and Dr. Z. Taylor Chrisman. In 1719 there 
were surveyed 650 acres at Warwick Furnace; in 1720 there was 
laid out 300 acres in Coventry, and in 1721 Mr. Nutt purchased 
300 acres in Coventry. 

There were in operation at this early day several forges and 
furnaces in the northern part of the countyj as the Pool Forge 
and Warwick Furnace above mentioned. On French Creek there 
was a forge in operation before 1720, which was assessed in 
1722 in Nantmeal, and in 1721 in Coventry, so that it must have 
been on the line or very near it. Nutt's road was laid out in 1726 
from the iron-works on St. Vincent River in tlie township of 
Coventry leading to Uwchlan Meeting-house, beginning at the 
forge and passing over Mt. Austrie at the distance of four miles. 
In 1736 Mr. Samuel Nutt and W. Branson agreed with John Potts 
to carry on Redding Furnace, then recently built near Coventry. 
Soon afterward the widow Nutt and her daughter built War- 
wick Furnace. Another furnace was built one and a half miles 
further up the creek, and the interests of all parties were consoli- 
dated by Rutter & Potts, of the Warwick Furnace, which consoli- 
dation lasted from 1778 to 1783. 

An iron-works was established on Crum Creek, in wliat is now 
Delaware County, but in what was then Chester County, in 1712, 
by John Crosby and Peter Dicks, and as one of the consequences 
Thomas Dell complained that the dam overflowed his land. Sarum 
Forg« on Chester Creek was owned by John Taylor and ^as worked 
from 1745 to 1751, at least. In 1748 the Swedish naturalist, Peter 



AND ITS PEOPLE. ^77 

Kalm, passed through the lower part of Chester County, spend- 
ing some time at Chichester, "a borough on the Delaware, where 
travellers pass the river in a ferry, and where they build every 
year a number of small ships for sale, and froin an iron-work 
Avhich lies higher up in the country they carry iron bars to this 
place and ship them. About two English miles behind Chester 
I passed an iron forge, which was to the right hand by the road- 
side. It belonged to two brothers, as I am told. The ore, how- 
ever, is not dug here, but thirty or forty miles hence, where it is 
first melted in an oven and then carried to this place." This 
must have been the forge on Crum Creek, mentioned above, and 
the ore must have been dug in what is now Chester County. 

A most remarkable fact connected with the early iron indus- 
tries of this and other counties in Pennsylvania and the other 
counties must be mentioned here, James Hamilton was then 
Deputy Governor, serving fi'om 1748 to 1754, and in pursuance 
of an act of Parliament having for its object the restriction of 
the manufacture of iron in the colonies. Governor Hamilton issued 
his proclamation requiring the sheriffs of the several counties to 
make a return to him of "every mill or engine for slitting or rolling 
iron, every plating forge to work with a tilt hammer, and every 
furnace for making steel which were erected within their several 
and respective counties," the date of this proclamation being 
June 24, 1750. In response to this proclamation John Owen, 
then sheriff of Chester County, certified "that there is but one 
mill or engine for slitting and rolling iron within the county 
aforesaid, which is situate in Thornbury Township, and was 
erected in the year 1746 by John Taylor, the present proprietor 
thereof, who, with his servants and workmen, has ever since 
the 24th day of June last used and occupied the same." Sheriff 
Owen also certified that there was not any plating forge to work 
with a tilt-hammer nor any furnace for making steel within 
the county of Chester. 



578 CHESTER COUNTY 

What had become of the iron-works ■nitliin two English miles 
of Chester, as seen by Peter Kalm, above mentioned, can only 
be guessed at. They must have gone into disuse, for Peter Kalm 
was too careful an observer to make a mistake in such a simple 
and important mattei', and Sheriff Owen was too honest to certify 
to a misstatement. 

The partnership between Branson and Anna Ntitt, widow of 
Samuel Nutt, who died about the close of the year 1737, and Mrs. 
Kutt's nephew was continued as if Mr. Xutt had not died, for 
several years, terminating jjrobably aboiit 1740, after Avhich the 
Warwick and Reading estates were conducted independently of 
each other. Warwick Furnace was built on land devised to Mrs. 
Anna Nutt by her husband for that purpose, and the property 
remained in the possession of her descendants, by the name of 
Potts, except that in 1771 a half interest was purchased therein 
by Thomas Eutter. 

William Branson erected a second furnace in what is now 
Warwick Township, about a mile and a half above Warwick 
Furnace, which, according to tradition, melted ore before the 
Heading Furnace. William Branson obtained a warrant for 2,000 
acres of land on French Creek near the iron-works on July 12, 
1733, and on November 29, 1736, he obtained another warrant 
for 1,500 acres in the township of Nantmeal, near French Creek. 
William Branson died in 1760 and his grandchildren, fifteen in 
number, inherited his property. The interests of all these heirs 
were purchased by Eutter «& Potts, by several conveyances, from 
1778 to 1783, as stated above. 

In his "History of New Sweden" (1759) Acrelius writes of 
iron-Avorks in Chester County as follows: 

"Friends' (French) Creek, in Chester County, near the Schuyl- 
kill. The mine is rich and baundant, from ten to twelve feet deep, 
commencing on the surface. Its discoverer is Mr. Nutt, who after- 
ward took Mr. Branz (Branson) into partnership. They both 



AND /TO PEOPLE. 579 

went to England, brought workmen back with them and 
continued together. Eacli lias his own furnace — Branz at head- 
ing, Xutt in Warwick. Each also has his own forges — Branz in 
\^'indsor. Nutt supplies four forges besides his own in Chester 
County. 

"Sarum belongs to Taylor's heirs; has three stacks, and is in 
full blast. 

"C'rum Creek belongs to Peter Dicks; has two stacks, is worked 
sluggishly, and has ruined Crosby's family. 

"Two others are in the Great Valley. 

"At French Creek, or Branz's works, there is a steel furnace, 
built with a drauglit-hole, and called an 'air-oven." In this iron 
bars are set at the distance of an inch apart. Between them 
are scattered horn, coal-dust, ashes, etc. The iron bars are thus 
covered with blisters, and this is called 'blister-steel.' It serves 
as the best steel to put upon edge-tools. These steel works are 
now said to be out of operation." 

It will also be of interest to note that on January IS, 1745, 
John Taylor, mentioned above as the owner of 8arum Forge, 
made an agreement with Thomas Wills, forgeman and liner, who 
was to work in the forge two years, making anconies at 22s. (id. 
per ton, and with Bees Jones on June 10, 1710, to coal 200 cords 
of wood in Middletown for lis. 8d. per 100 bushels. In 1851 John 
Taylor sent an invoice of bar-iron to Mr. Plumsted of Philadel- 
phia, for shipment to Boston, asking for the returns to be made 
in oil, loaf-sugar and rum. 

After its purchase by Butter & Potts, Beading Furnace was 
permitted to fall into decay and was replaced by a forge, which 
in 17SS was owned by Captain Samuel Van Leer, a grandson of 
William Branson, the forge being carried on successfully f(tr many 
years by Captain Van Leer ^.- Sons, but at length it had its fall 
and decline. 

Mordecai Peirsol, about 17G4, built Bebecca Furnace, which 



5 So CHESTER COUNTY 

was supplied Avith ore from Jones' mines. In 1793 this furnace 
was owned by Jacob Vinance, Thomas Tvutter, Sarah May and 
Samuel Potts, but in 1794 it was discontinued because farmers 
refused longer to sell wood for charcoal. 

In 1786 Jesse Potts was assessed in Coventry for a steel fur- 
nace, which in 1787 appears to have been operated by Ellis .Jones 

6 Co., and in 1788 by North & Evans. In 178G David Moore had a 
forge in West Nantmeal, whicli in 1788 appears to have belonged 
to James Moore, together with 5»>1 acres of land. At Warwick 
Furnace, during the year 177(>, sixty cannon were cast, of twelve 
and eighteen-pound caliber. 

Vincent Forge existed during the later years of the last cen- 
tury, and was owned by John Young, who in his will March 2, 
1781, devised it to his son, John, upon his becoming of age. In 
1788 it appears to have been operated by James Templin. 

Valley Forge was built originally about five-eighths of a mile 
from the mouth of Valley Creek, in Chester County. From the 
spring of 1757 it was operated by members of the Potts family 
until its destruction by the British, in 1777, about two months 
before the American army encamped at this historic place. Col. 
William Dewees, a son of Sheriff William Dewees of Philadelphia, 
became associated with the Pottses in 1771, and probably pur- 
chased an interest in 1773. Warwick Furnace furnished the iron 
for this forge. After the close of the Revolutionary War a slit- 
ting mill was erected in Chester County by Isaac and David Potts, 
brothers. In 1786 this mill and a forge across the Schuylkill, in 
Montgomery County, were operated by Isaac Potts & Company, 
the "Company" consisting of David Potts and his son .James. 
In 1814 these works were sold to John Rogers and Joshua Malin, 
the latter being a cousin of the former, and the manager of the 
works. On April 1, 1816, Rogers bought iLalin's half interest 
in the property, and in the following autumn James Woods became 
a partner of Rogers and manager of the works. Wood com- 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 581 

pleted certain improvements began by Maliu and converted it into 
a saw factory mainly, but also manufactured shovels, spades, 
files and other implements of industry. At the rolling-mill boiler- 
plate, sheet-iron and band-iron were made. A portion of this 
output .was slit for the nail-mill at Phoenixville, at which place 
there were no such facilities. The iron used by Wood was obtained 
from Laurel Forge, Coventi^y Forge and Springton Forge. 

Not long after ISIS, several experiments having been made, 
cast-steel was successfully made here by Wood, clay for crucibles 
being brought from Terth Amboy. Early in 1821 Brooke Evans, 
of Sheffield, England, leased the property from Rogers, converted 
the gun factory and rolling-mill into gun factories, raised the 
roof of the rolling-mill and added two stories to it, and at Valley 
Forge made 20,000 muskets. Subsequently this building was 
destroyed hj a freshet, but the building on the Montgomerj' 
County side, after serving its purpose as a gun factory, was en- 
larged and converted into a cotton and woolen factory. 

Mary Ann Forge was built in 1785 and was located on the 
north branch of the Brandywine, two miles north of Downing- 
towu. Springton Forge was built in 1766 and was five miles north 
of Mary Ann Forge, on the same stream. Hiberuia Forge was 
built in 1793 on West Brandywine Creek, four miles north of 
(.'oatesville. A small rolling-mill was added in 1837, and both 
were abandoned in 1880. Kokeby Eolling-mill was built in 1795 
on Buck Run, foui- miles south of Coatesville, and Brandywine 
Kolliug-mill was built at Coatesville in 1810. Sadsbury Forges 
were built in 1800 and 1802 on Octoraro Creek, near Christiana. 
Kingwood Forge, also near Christiana, was built in 1810, was in 
operation as late as 1856, since which time it has been abandoned. 
Pine Grove Forge on Octoraro Creek, was built in 1800, and in 
1841 a small rolling-mill was added on the Chester County side 
of the line, but these enterprises have been abandoned. Pleasant 
Garden Forge was built about 1806 and was about two miles south- 



582 CHESTER COl'lsTY 

west of New London, and a small rolling-mill was built about 
1845, both of them being abandoned soon after this later date. 

Eentgen's Works, which obtained considerable celebrity from 
the attempts made there to manufacture German steel, were sit- 
uated in Pikeland Township. They were established in 1793, and 
in Swank's history of iron manufacture it is stated that Ifentgeu, 
on November 17, 1790, obtained a patent for forging round-iron, 
and that on June 27, 1810, he obtained a patent for rolling-iron 
in round shapes. 

The Pha^nix Iron ANorks were started some time late in the 
Eighteenth Century for the manufacture of nails. In 1828 they 
were bought at sheriff's sale by Eee-^es & Whitaker, the partners 
being Benjamin and David Keeves and James and Joseph Whitaker. 
Reeves & Whitaker greatly enlarged and improved the works and 
added new machinery, building a new and improved rolling-mill 
and introducing self-heading nail machinery, thus more than quad- 
rupling the product of the establishment. They also erected a 
charcoal blast-furnace, which they ran until wood could no longer 
be obtained, and in 1845 they began the erection of two anthracite 
coal blast-furnaces, and in 1846 the erection of a rolling-mill for 
the manufacture of railroad iron. This rolling-mill was at the time 
it first v\-ent into operation at least equal to any other rolling- 
mill in this country, and the quality of its output was equal to 
that of any similar mill in England, i^till later another and larger 
blast-furnace was erected, the mills again enlarged, and the ma- 
chine shop also increased in capacity, so that not only the qualit}' 
of the mills was improved, but the quantity was considerably 
increased. 

Up to the close of the Mar railroad rails were a large part of 
the product of these mills, but since then attention has been given 
more to the manufacture of higher and finer qualities of iron. The 
manufacture of nails was transferred from these works to other 
works owned by the same firm at Bridgeton, New Jersey, in 1848, 
the nail-mill being at that time burned down at Phoenix ville. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 5^3 

Since 1828 the owners of the works have been Reeves it Whit- 
aker, Keeves, Buck & Co., and the Plioenix Iron Company, the 
Messrs. Keeves being from 1828 to 1881 the largest owners. The 
new mill, erected some time previous to 1881, was fire-proof, 
having an iron frame, iron sides and slate roof. It was in the 
last named vear the largest single mill in the country. At these 
works are manufactured all kinds of structural iron, such as is 
used by architects, engineers, bridge builders, fancy iron workers, 
including iron beams and joists used in buildings, and the ribs 
and decks of iron ships. These works rolled out most of the iron 
used for ribs and decks of ships built on the Delaware River, includ- 
ing iron steamers running in the interest of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road Company to Liverpool, and those built at Chester for the 
Pacific Mail Steamship Company. They also made for the govern- 
ment large numbers of wrought-iron guns during the war of the 
Rebellion, these guns being an invention of Mr. John Griffeu, gen- 
eral superintendent of the company for twenty-five or thirty years, 
dying in 1881. The number supplied was about 500, and they were 
the most efficient field guns in the service. 

The presidents of this company have been as follows: 
David Reeves, Samuel J. Reeves and David Reeves. 
Secretaries— James Milliken, Robert B. Aertsen and George 
G. White. 

Treasurers — Samuel J. Reeves, and James O. Pease. 
The Phoenix Bridge Company is practically the same as the 
Phoenix Iron Company, taking contracts for the construction of 
bridges and then making contracts for the materials Avith tlu> 
latter company. 

As above narrated, iron mining began at a very early day. 
It is now of interest to note where it has been mined in more re- 
cent times. According to Professor H. D. Rodgers, there were iu 
1853 several excavations for iron ore iu the narrow limestoue 
vallev south of Bethel Hill, two of these excavations being east 



584 CHESTER COUNTY 

of the gorge by Avliicli Gulf Ci'eek passes through that hill. At 
that time one group of pits was about a mile southwest of this 
hill, and about 150 yards south of the road running along the 
north side of the valley. The ore was smelted in Merlon furnace. 
An 1)1(1 pit, near the fork of the road at the Baptist meeting- 
house, had a shaft seventy-six feet deep, the ore from which was 
of a superior quality, and there was another opening further east 
on the southwest side of the road. 

For some time there had been an ore-bank of considerable 
size, not far from the marble quarry owned by a Mr. Henderson 
of Upper Merion, which up to about 1854, yielded excellent ore, 
but which at length became unprofitable to mine. About 1,250 
feet northeast of this bank there was another bank, then mined 
by George Fisher, and which contained good ore, the ore being 
used by the Phoenixville Iron Works. The average amount of 
dirt in this bank was about three to one of ore. Thomas Wid- 
dart's bank, Milliton's bank. Otto's bank, and Hughes & Jones' 
banks were all in this vicinity, and all yielded tolerably good ore. 

Ore was also mined in Tredyffrin Township, south of the vil- 
lage of Howellville, and there was a small ore-bank northwest 
of Howellville, on the Swede's Ford Road. Woodman's ore-bank 
was about 500 yards west of the Valley Forge Road, where tiie 
ore was in the proportion of two to one of dirt. Nathaniel Jones, 
Charles Beaver, and Buck & King had ore mines about half a 
mile from Centerville, and Samuel Beaver had one about half a 
mile from the head of "S'alley Forge dam, which was of consid- 
erable size, and yielded good ore. Holland's Bank, the ore from 
which was smelted at Phoenixville, was located about one and 
a half miles northwest of Howellville. 

Then, too, to the westward of the meridian of Paoli, there 
was another district of ore mines, in which were located William 
Buchanan's Ore-bank, about 400 yards north of Oakland Hotel, 
the ore from which was taken to Jones" Furnace on the Schuyl 



A.YZ> ITS PEOPLE. 585 

kill; (jr. W. Jacob's bank, between the North Valley and the 
Columbia Kailroad, about two miles east of Oakland, and two 
other banks belonging to the same party, about one-fourth of a 
mile of Ship Tavern; Maguire's bank, about one mile north of 
the Ship Tavern, was of considerable size and furnished good 
ore. A Mr. Evans had a bank three-fourths of a mile east of 
Ship Tavern, which yielded good ore, and was a large deposit; 
Frederick Neal had ore-banks in the vicinity which also yielded 
good ore, and about a mile northwest of Downingtown there was 
an ore mine near the foot of North Valley Hill, which had not been 
extensively opened, and which was not very promising. West of 
Coatesville there had been two or three openings for ore toward 
the southern side of the valley, between the west branch of 
Brandywine and Buck llun. 

Two extensive excavations developed large deposits of iron 
ore about a half mile northeast of Yellow Springs, one of which 
was formerly known as the Fegley mine, the valley in which 
these excavations occur being separated from the valley con- 
taining the Lewis mine by a narrow belt of gueissic hills, the 
main body of the ore being in loose earth. The principal excava- 
tion at Fegley's Mine in 1853 was about 200 feet long, 100 feet 
wide and 50 feet deep, the irregular ore bed itself being only about 
40 feet wide. A short distance to the northeast of Fegley's Mine 
there was one still larger, where the ore dipped to the southeast 
and reposing against a slanting wall of altered (Mesozoic) red 
sandstone. The ore here Avas about twelve feet thick at the bot- 
tom of the bed. About the time mentioned Fegley's Mim- was 
yielding 2,400 tons of ore per annum, which was taken by tlie 
Phwnix Iron Works. The other mine in the near proximity was 
yielding 2,000 tons per annum. 

The Latschaw Mine was situated about three-fourths of a 
mile southwest of Yellow Spriugs, and there was antither mine 
owned by Keeves, Buck & Co., of Phtenixville, known as the Stite- 



586 CHESTER C0V2\TY 

ler Mine, or Ore-bank, which was about three-fourths of a mile 
further to the southwest of Yellow Spdjigs. It was situated 
five-eighths of a mile from the West Vincent line, was about 300 
yards long- hy 200 yards wide, and at one time yielded from 5,000 
to 8,000 tons of ore per annum. It has been abandoned for many 
years. Jones' Mine was near the Latschaw Mine, or, as it was 
otherwise called, the Harvej' Mine, upon another rupture of the 
strata. 

Iron ore occurred also on the West Chester and Pottsgrove 
State Eoad, one-fourth of a mile north of Little Eagle Tavern, in 
Uwchlan Township. Similar iron ore was also found on the farm 
of Morgan Hoffman, and there was a small ore pit on the farm 
owned by William Parker. In 1853 the principal ore-banks being 
operated were the Stauft'er, seven-eighths of a mile southeast of 
Pughtown, which was leased in October, 1880, by the Phoenix 
Iron Company, and afterward abandoned, they exhausting the 
ore when they had taken out about 4,000 tons; the Morris Kussell 
Mine, one mile jiorth of Chester Spi'ings, in West Pikeland Town- 
ship, and owned by the Pha?nix Iron Company; the Jones Mine, 
one-half mile northwest of Chester Springs, in West Pikeland 
Township, and worked by James Harvey; the Old Prizer Mine, 
one-fourth of a mile north of Chester Springs railway depot, 
and one-eighth of a mile off the line of the railway to the north- 
west, leased in July, 18(i5, by thePhienix Iron Company, and later 
by the Monocacy Furnace ('(unpany, which took out a large 
quantity of ore, but abandoned it because the ore extended to 
too great a depth; the Isaac Tustin Mine, a quarter of a mile 
south of Chestei' Springs, first explored in 1851, and leased to 
the Monocacy P'urnace Company, and in 18(il to the Phoenix 
Iron Company, which took several hundred tons of surface ore 
from it, and tlnm abandoned it, because the ore did not extend 
to any dejtth. 

The Kaby Mine was owned by IJev. Mr. Kaby, and situated 




^^ni:^/i^/d.J^c^ - 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 589 

one mile southwest of the Kiiubertuii raihvay stiitiou, and was 
worked in 1882, several hundred tons of ore going to the S. Til- 
ton's Plvmouth Furnace at Conshohocken. The Orner-farm Mine 
lay one-half a mile due west of the old Fegley Mine, and Avas 
owned by the PIkpuIx Iron Company. The Acker Mine, one- 
fourth of a mile due west from the Harvey Mine, was worked 
for some years by the Phoenix Iron Company, under a lease dated 
January 1, 1863, but in 1883 it was being worked by Mr. Acker 
for the Monocacy Furnace Compauy. The John Mosteller Mine 
of brown hematite iron ore, about one-eighth of a mile south of the 
Eagle and Kimberton Koad, was in 1883 being worked by the 
Phoenix Iron Company, and was yielding about fifteen tons of 
surface ore per day. 

The Hopewell Middle Mine, in Warwick Township, was one 
of the most famous in the county. It was originally owned aud 
run by Mr. HoiJewell and by him worked by the open-cut method 
of mining, until the workings became too deep for this method. 
He then sank a shaft, and after the mine passed to the possession 
of the Pottstown Iron Compauy in 1873, that compauy sank an- 
other shaft, which passed down through the ore at the depth of 
150 feet, where the vein averaged from twelve to fourteen feet 
in thickness. In 1882 the miners were robbing the pillars, and 
cutting away about thirty tons per day. 

St. Mary's Mines, in 1882, were being worked by the E. & 
G. Brooke Iron Company, the mining being done by shafts, and 
the yield being about twenty tons of magnetic iron ore per day. 
Steel's Iron Ore-pits were about one-half mile north of St. Mary's 
village in Warwick Township, but it had not been worked for 
many years. The Leighton Iron Ore-mine was a little to the south 
of the village of St. Mary's, from which, before its abandonment, 
more than 20,000 tons of ore had been taken. Knauertown Iron- 
mine lay a little to the north of Kuauertown, the iron found here 
being very similar to that of the Warwick Mine, but there waa 
34 



590 CHESTER COUNTY 

not enough ore to encourage mining to any considerable extent. 
Crossley's Iron Ore-pits were worked at one time, but were aban- 
doned previous to 1854, their location being about one mile north of 

Knauertown. 

Lead and copper ore come next in point of value to iron ore 

in the minerals of Chester County, but are far less extensively 
found. The Wheatley and Brookdale Lode in the Pickering Creek 
district is the best known and most valuable. This lode cuts 
at least three of the trap dykes of that region, and the metallifer- 
ous lodes which extend from the Perkiomen Mines in Montgomery 
County to the Charlestown Mines of Chester County are situated 
not far from the boundary line which separates the gneissic rocks 
of this region from the Middle Secondary formation of the red 
shale and sandstone, some of them lying on one side of this 
boundary line and some on the other; and some are partly within 
the gneiss and partly within the shale. Then, too, it is a curious 
fact that as a general thing those veins which are confined en- 
tirely or mainly to the gneiss bear lead principally, while those 
veins that are confined entirely within the red shale forma- 
tion contain principally the ores of copper. But the zinc ores, 
as zinc-blende or calamite, prevail in both sets of veins, though 
perhaps to a relatively larger amount in the copper-bearing lodes 
of the red shale. The Perkiomen and Ecton Lode, the United Mine 
Lode, the Shannonville South Lode, the small French Creek Lode, 
the Port Kennedy Lode, and the Morris Lode, near Phoenixville, 
are genuine copper veins, and with no single exception are within 
the red-shale formation; while on the other hand the Wheatley 
and Brookdale Lode, the Chester County Lode, the Montgomery 
Lode and the Charlestown Lode all lie within the gneissic forma- 
tions and are all genuine lead veins. 

The following paragraph from Prof. Kodgers shows the rich- 
ness of these lodes and the variety of minerals which they contain: 

"Selecting the Wheatley Lode as presenting, perhaps, the 



AND /r.S' PEOPLE. 591 

greatest diversity of species, and as that which has received alto- 
gether the closest study, we find the mineralogy of these veins 
I'epresented by the following large and interesting catalogue: 
Sulphate of lead, carbonate of lead, phosphate of lead, arseniate 
of lead, molybdate of lead, chromate of lead, arsenio-phosphate 
of lead, sulphuret of lead, antimonial sulphuret of lead and silver, 
sulphuret of zinc, carbonate of zinc, silicate of zinc, sulphuret of 
copper, green malachite, blue malachite, black oxide of copper, 
native copper, oxide of manganese, native sulphur, native silver, 
quartz, cellular quartz, oxide of iron containing silver, haematite 
iron, brown spar, sulphate of barytes, iron pyrites, and two or 
three other species." 

The Brookdale Lode, an extension of the Wheatley Lode, was 
a remarkably regular silver lead vein. On May 1, 1853, there 
had been wrought a total length of 1,111 feet, and between the 
Wheatley and Brookdale engine shafts there was a further open- 
ing by an adit level of 456 feet, and there was but little if any 
doubt that the vein was much more extensive than its openings 
showed. In width the vein varied from one foot to two and a half 
feet and it was very productive. In the Wheatley vein the aver- 
age width was about eighteen inches, while in the Brookdale 
vein it was about two feet. The latter vein was rather fuller of 
quartz than the former. The main shaft at the Wheatley Mine 
was, in 1853, 234 feet deep, and the lode was very productive in ore, 
as was also the Brookdale end. 

The Elizabeth Copper Mine was at one time a noted one. It 
was situated on the Knauertown Copper Lode, not far from Cross- 
ley's ore-pits, previously mentioned. The vein, according to Prof. 
Eodgers, consists largely of crystallized calcareous spar, in which 
occur crystallized oxide of iron, many brilliant octahedral crystals 
of sulphuret of iron, and some copper pyrites. The width of this 
vein or bed was about forty-five feet, an engine shaft descended 
140 feet, and there 'was an interior underlay shaft descending 



592 CHESTER COUNTY, 

from the bottom of the main shaft forty-five feet deeper. Active 
work was suspended there in May, 1854. 

Sulphurets of copper and iron were found in the French Creek 
Magnetic Ore-mines, situated half a mile south of Harmonyville, 
where there were in 1854 two shafts about 250 feet deep, with 
hoisting and pumping engines at both, and the capacity of the 
mines was about 15,000 tons per annum. They were then worked 
by the E. & G. Brooke Iron Company. 

Valuable marble is found in various parts of the county. 
About three and a half miles east of Downingtown, just south of 
the Valley Turnpike, is an extensive quarry of superior marble, 
which for years supplied Philadelphia with the beautiful white 
marble of Avhich so many of her public and private buildings 
were constructed. The beds of this quarry were slightly con- 
torted, the portion worked for marble separating into two beds. 
These beds were massive, mainly white, sometimes with a bluish 
tinge, and were quarried with ease and great facility. It was 
much used in the construction of Girard College and other public 
buildings in Philadelphia and neighboring towns. 

There have been opened extensive quarries of marble or lime- 
stone in the vicinity of the Valley Church, where the limestone 
is very similar to that quaiTied two or three miles below Valley 
Forge, and on the road from Glassley to Valley Forge, near the 
county line, there is a small hill over the east end of which the 
road passes, which hill is composed of slaty talcose calcareous 
rock. Near Valley Forge there is a stratum of feldspathic rock 
exposed in the creek and occasionally appears overlying the primal 
white sandstone at the foot of North Valley Hill. Near the 
White Horse Tavern the limestone is talcote and slaty, but near 
the Steamboat Tavern the limestone is of the more usual gran- 
ular structure. The limestone at Downingtown is compact and 
of a light color, several quarries of compact and granular lime- 
stone having been opened in the vicinity of this place. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 593 

A blue limestone quarry- near Downingtown was opened in 
1831, the rock being stratified, with regular jointing and fine 
texture. It was used for building, lime burning and ballast. It 
was used in building Villanova CJollege, Villanova railway station, 
railway bridge, abutments and piers. At Bell's Quarry, Midway, 
the limestone is of a light color, and in the vicinity of Buck's Run 
and Parkesburg it becomes darker and more slaty. 

Graphite and chrome are both extensively mined in Chester 
County, the latter mineral being found in considerable quantities 
in the southwest part of the county in both rock and sand. Dug 
and shipped to Europe it commands a high price. For many years 
the trade in chrome was under the exclusive control of Isaac Tyson 
of Baltimore, who procured from the farmers the right to dig 
and remove the mineral found on their farms. In this manner 
Mr. Tyson amassed a considerable fortune, and it doubtless was 
a profitable proceeding for the farmers, as the lands where this 
mineral is found are comparatively valueless for agricultural pur- 
poses. 

Graphite or plumbago of a superior quality is found apparently 
in inexhaustible quantities in Upper Uwchlau and adjoining town- 
ships, near the line of the Pickering Valley Railroad. 

Corundum has been mined for many years, esi)ecially in New- 
lin Townshii), and formerly in numerous quantities. This ma- 
terial existed in a narrow vein of hard white albite. An attempt to 
mine it regularly, made some years ago by D. Lewis Williams, Avas 
not persisted in. But loose blocks of corundum rocks were at one 
time collected to the amount of six or seven tons and exported 
to Europe. By geologists corundum is said to be a metamor- 
phose of the gneiss composed more largely of alumina tluin the 
rest of the same rock, and while it is seldom found pure in nature, 
yet where found pure it is pure alumina. In the spring of 1806 
John Leslie took up about five tons of corundum, which he sold 
at |(jO per ton. 



594 CHESTER COUNTY 

It is remarkable that during tlie last century there were sev- 
eral persons within the county who were engaged in the manu- 
facture of clocliS. The brass worlvs were probably brought across 
the sea, and fitted together in the county, the cases being gen- 
erally made where the clock was needed. Among the earlier work- 
men in this line Avere the Chandlees, of jVottingham, Benjamin 
Chandlee being the pioneer, and removing from the neighborhood 
in 1741. His son, Benjamin, manufactured not only clocks, but 
also compasses and a general line of mathematical instruments. 
His son, Ellis, also carried on the same lines of manufacture, and 
is said to have been the most ingenious of the family. 

Isaac Thomas of Willistown made clocks during tlie later 
years of the Eighteenth Century, his residence being on the Boot 
Koad, near Crujiib Creek. Caleb Hibberd, living a mile east of 
Sugartown, in the same township, made clocks during the early 
part of the present century. Isaac Jackson of NeAV Garden is 
remembered as a man of ingenuity, working in the finer ma- 
terials, and being a maker of clocks. Benjamin Garrett began 
to make clocks about the year 1800, importing the castings, and 
his work was carried on quite extensively for twelve of fifteen 
years. Joseph Cave, of West Chester, made clocks and watches 
from about 1824 to 1834, his cases being made by Thomas Ogden. 
Others can-ied on the work until about 1835, when the Yankee 
clocks began to be introduced, and the home-made clocks were 
from that time on gradually su])erseded. 

The Thorndale Iron Works were erected in 1847, J. iV: J. 
Forsythe & Sons erecting the mill and sixteen dwelling houses. 
Soon afterward Horace A. Beale pui'chased the establishment, 
and he in turn sold them to J. B. Moore of Philadeli)hia, from 
whom they jiassed into the hands of William L. Bailey in 1808. 
Mr. Bailey, in connection with J. B. Hayes, ran the works about 
eight years, under the firm name of William L. Bailey & Co., iuid 
still later they passed into the hands of a stock company, of which 



AXD /7\S' PEOPLE. 595 

Charles L. Bailey of HaiTisbiirg was president; Abraham t^. Pat- 
terson, of the same citj, vice-president; and William L. Bailey, 
treasurer. They manufactured plate-iron, such as is used in the 
construction of locomotives, boilers, bridges, ships, and tanks, in 
1880 turning out 6,495,777 pounds of finished iron. These works 
ceased to operate several years ago. 

It has been stated that the first mill in Pennsylvania was 
located on Cobb's Creek, near the Blue Bell Tavern, erected about 
1643. In 1683 the "Chester Mills" were erected on Chester Creek, 
not far above the present manufacturing village of Upland, in 
Delaware County. Richard Townseud about 1730 set up a mill 
on Chester Creek, "which served for grinding corn aud sawing 
boards," he being a tenth owner in the mill. 

t^ome of the earliest mills in Chester County, as at present 
bounded, were as follows: In Birmingham, Francis Chadds', in 
Tredyffrin, Thomas Jerman's, both mentioned as early as 1710; 
at Avondale, John Miller's, in 1714; in Kennett, Gayen Steven- 
son's in 1715; at Downington, Thomas Moore's 1716; in Goshen, 
George Ashbridge and others in 1717; in Kennett, Ellis Lewis' 
same years; in Birmingham, James Huston's 1719; in Bradford, 
Abiah Taylor's, in 1719; in Coventry, Thomas Miller's, in the 
.same year; in Sadsbury, John Jones' 1721; in East Bradford, 
Carter, Hcott and Willis', 1721; in Pocopson, Joseph Taylor's, 
1724; in New London, Abraham Emmit's, on Big Elk Creek, and 
Henry Ilollingsworth's on Little Elk Creek, in 1724; in London- 
grove, William Pusey's, 1730; in Sadsburj-, James Hamor's, in 
1722; in Whiteland, "Vale Koyal" Mill, Bichard Thomas, Sam- 
uel Phipps, William Williams and Magdalen Howell, in 1730; 
Jones' Mill, where afterward was erected Sager's Mill, on the 
Brandywine, in 1744. 

In West Nantmeal, in the west branch of the Brandywine, 
there was a mill erected in 1840, a title above Beaver Dam. This 
mill went to decay after the erection of Mackekluff's Mill, this 



596 CHESTER COUNTY 

beino in 1762, there not being water enough for both. Mordecai 
Piersol built a mill in 17G2, and in 1760 there Avas a mill built at 
Glen Moore. In 1770 Aokland's Mill was built, and White's Mill 
near Cupola Station, was erected in 1811. In this same year 
there was a mill on Naaman's Creek, owned by John Bellach, 
who "paid the highest price for grain," and Benjamin Jeffries 
owned a mill neAr Kennett Square. 

Pennypacker's Mill was located in Pikeland Township, at 
least as early as 1812, this being for carding, spinning and weav- 
ing. The prices were as follows: Carding into "roles," 10 cents 
per pound; spinning, 12 cuts to the pound or less, 1-^- cents per 
cut; all over 12 cuts to the pound, 2 cents per cut. This mill was 
owned bj' Harman Pennypacker and William Stidham. 

Levi John and William McFarlan, in April, 1813, erected "a 
jiair of machines for carding wool," at the mill, then lately occu- 
pied as a clover-mill in Vincent Township, near William Reed's 
Mill. ^Vool-carding was also cai'ried on by John Woodward, at 
the mill of William Woodward iu East Bradford, by Mordecai 
Thomas at his own mill in Willistown, and by Joseph H. Down- 
ing in Downingtown. At this same time John Taylor had a grist- 
mill in East Bradford, run by water from Braudywine Creek. 

In 1817 James Hance built a mill in West AVhiteland, which 
mill, iu 18i>l, was purchased by George Hoopes, aud later became 
the property of his son, Robert F. Hoopes. The Charlestown 
Woolen Mill was owned by Hood & Sandham, Avho maniifactured 
both broad and narrow cloth, cassimeres, satinets, flannels, lin- 
sey and plaid, as well as broad and narrow blankets, carded aud 
and wove woolen goods, and purchased wool. In West Chester, 
in 1818, Joseph Jones began the making of chairs, fancy, Windsor 
and rush-bottom, carrying on the business for several years. 

The Bloomfield Factory, located near Kennett Square, was 
operated by John P. Chambers, who manufactured woolen cloths 
at the following prices: Blankets, 1 yard wide, 8 cuts to the 



AiYD ITS PEOPLE. 597 

pound, 55 cents; flannels, 1 yard wide, 12 cuts to the ])ouud, 75 
cents; thick flannels, f of a yard wide, 12 cuts to the pound, !»() 
cents; cloth, ^ of a yard wide, 12 cuts to the pound, fl; cloth I 
of a yard wide, 16 cuts to the pound, |1.25; cardinji coniniou wool 
into rolls, 10 cents; spinning, from 8 to 12 cuts per pound, 20 
cents per dozen; from 12 to 20 cuts per pound, 24 cents per dozen; 
all under 8 cuts, 10 cents per pound. 

There was a Union Woolen Manufactory in Sadsbury, Town- 
ship, manufacturing wotd into broad and narrow (loth, cassi- 
meres, cassinettes, coarse and fine flannel, etc. Andrew Wilson 
carried on the carding and fulling business "at the stand formerly 
occupied by Calvin Cooper, deceased," in West Bradford Town- 
ship. Seneca Warner carried on wool carding at J. Buffington's 
Tilt-mill in East Bradford Township, and himself owned a grist- 
mill in East Marlborough Township. The fulling business was 
also carried in by Elisha Davis, in West Bradford, on the road 
leading from Downingtown to the Center House. Jei'emiah Bailey 
made fans, wire screens, rolling screens, etc., at his mill near Ken- 
nett Square. And that there was brick-making earh^ in the his- 
tory of the county is shown by the fact that in 1818 Jose])li 
Townsend of West Chester offered 50,000 bri(dvS for sale, and also 
some draining tile. For several, if not for many years, William 
Work carried on coach-making in West Chester, commencing 
about 1821, and he had for sale the "highly approved patent C 
springs." 

The Doe Kuu Woolen Factory, located in West Nautmeal 
Township, was owned by Abel I. Thomas, and the Downington 
pottery, which, in 1824, was managed by Eber James, was pre- 
viously owned and managed by Jesse Kersey. Caleb Jackson ar 
this time carried on coach and Dearborn-wagon making about 
half a mile west of Kennett Square, at the place then lately oc- 
cupied by Isaac Philips. 

In 1825 Samuel Bellerjeau carried on cabinet-making in 



598 CHESTER COUNTY 

Downingtown, as did Thomas Ogden in West Cliester, and Jona- 
tlian Kowlaud was a wool carder at Lai)p's mill, near the Fox Chase 
Tavern in Ti*edyffrin Township. Townsend Eachns carried on 
wool-carding at his chiver-mill in West Goshen Township, abont 
one and three-quai-ter miles from West Chester, as also did Josepli 
Painter in East Bradford. George S. Downing had a tan-yard in 
East Cain Township, three miles west of Downingtown, and in 
182G liobert and Canby Steel manufactured hats in West Chester. 
This year John Tweddle managed the Downingtown Brewex'y, at 
which he brewed porter, ale and small beer. 

The Platinum Works of J. Bishoj) & Co. are located at Sugar- 
town, in Willistown Township, six miles east of West Chester 
and three miles south of Malvern, on the main line of the Penn- 
sylvania Ivailroad. The founder of these works was born in 
Portugal in 180G, where his father, an Englishman, was tempo- 
rarily residing, and where he was director of the Royal Fabrics. 
Joaquin Bishop, the founder, came to the United States witli his 
parents in 1810, settled in Philadelphia in 1811, and was there 
ai)i)reuticed to a jeweler in 182G. In 1832 he became instrument 
maker and assistant chemist of the University of Pennsylvania, 
under Dr. Eobert Hare, and in 1831) he began to work in platinum, 
in 1812 establishing Avhat is now the fii'ui of J. Bishop «& Co. In 
1845 he drew first premium at Franklin Institute for platinum 
work. In 1858 he removed his business to Radnor, and in 18G5 
to its present location. In 187(i he received first premium and 
dipkima from the Centennial Commission, and in 1881 he asso- 
ciated witli himself in partnership Edwin T. Cox, under tlie firm 
name of J. Bisliop & Co. After a life of activity and usefulness 
he died August 1, 1880, leaving his interest in the business to 
his grandson, Joaquin B. Matlack. Mr. Matlack and Mr. Cox have 
since then carried on tlie business under the old firm name. Their 
work consists of refining and melting platinum ore or scraps, 
and manufacturing said metal into assaying apparatus vessels 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 599 

and tubes of all decriptions, and all kiuds of experimental instru- 
ments in use by analytical chemists, and in short anything made 
of platinum. For these goods a market is found in the labora- 
tories of universities, colleges, steel and iron manufactories, and 
among all kinds of professional and scientific men in the country, 
in Canada, Mexico, and to some slight extent in Europe. 

The Lukens Iron and Steel Compauy was originally estab- 
lished in 1790, though not under its present name. In that year 
Isaac Pennock, great-grandfather of Mr. A. F. Huston, present 
president of the company, built a mill and began the manufacture 
of iron at a place called Eokeby, on Buck Ilun, Chester County, 
about four miles south of Coatesville. This mill was called the 
"Federal Slitting Mill," charcoal slabs being heated in an open 
c-harcoal fire, rolled out into plates, and then slit up into rods for 
general blacksmith use. In ISIO he bought a saw-mill property 
on the Brandywine, at Coatesville, which he converted into an iron- 
mill. This mill was called Brandywine, and afterward developed 
into the large plant now in operation, covering many acres of 
ground and furnishing employment to a large number of men. 

Eebecca W. Pennock, daughter of Isaac Pennock, married 
Dr. Charles Lukens, the latter leasing Brandywine of his father- 
in-law in 1816 and carrying on the business of iron-making until 
his death in 1825. It was between 1816 and 1825 that steam 
boilers first came into use, and the first boiler plates produced in 
this country were made in this mill by Dr. Lukens. After the 
death of Dr. Lukens, his widow, in accordance with his request, 
continued to carry on the business, greatly increased the plant 
and continued successfully for many years, and it was as a tribute 
to her memory that the name of the w^orks, after her death, was 
changed to the "Lukens Eolling-mills." The works have been 
continuously operated by the family from 1810 to the present 
year, 1898. 

After the death of Mrs. Lukens the business was conducted 



6oo CHESTER COUNTY 

by lier sous-in-laAv, Abraham Gibbons and Dr. Charles Huston. 
In 1855 Mr. Gibbous retired after a short but prosperous and 
honorable biisiness career. The works then remained in Dr. 
Charles Huston's hauls, who, together with his partner, Mr. 
Charles reurosi', who joined him a few years later, oaiTied on 
the manufacture of iron until the death of Mr. Penrose, in 1881; 
in the meantime Dr. Huston's two sons, A. F. and O. L. Huston, 
upon their graduation from college, in 1872 and 1875, having 
joined the company. The company was known from this time 
until 1890 as "Charles Huston & Sons." In this latter year a 
stock company was formed and chartered under the title of "The 
Lukens Iron and Steel Company," the officers of which were as 
follows: Dr. Charles Huston, president; A. F. Huston, vice presi- 
dent; Charles L. Huston, general manager; R. B. Haines, secretary, 
and Joseph Humptou, treasurer. Xot long after^'ard Mr. Haines 
resigned the position of secretary, and Mr. Humpton was ap- 
pointed to this position, since then filling both offices of secretary 
and treasurer. Upon the death of Dr. Charles Huston, in 189V, 
A. F. Huston succeeded to the presidency and Charles L. Hustan 
became vice-president. 

Originally the boilers plates were made from single charcoal 
blooms, the blooms being made in the old-fashioned forge fire, 
then reheated over an ordinary grate fire and rolled into plates. 
These plates were shipped without being sheared. Later shears 
were introduced and the shearings were cut into nails. After- 
ward a reverbatory heating furnace was introduced, enabling the 
scrap to be worked up. The plate-rolls at this time were from 
sixteen to eighteen inches in diameter, and from three to four feet 
long between the housings, and were driven by an overshot water- 
wheel. Many a time, when it looked as ifithe mill would stall, the 
workmen would rush to the water-wheel, climb upon its rim, and 
by their weight help the pass through the rolls. In this way ;i 
"sticker" was often prevented, which, whenever it < auie, meant 
fire-cracked rolls and later on broken ones. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 60 1 

Owing to the constant increase of business the oversliot 
water-wheel was superseded by the breast-wheel, so geared as 
to convey more power to the rolls, and in addition, a heavy fly- 
wheel was introduced, geared to a high speed for the storage of 
power. The use of larger rolls was thus permitted, those now 
introduced being twenty-one inches in diameter and sixty-six 
inches long. In 1870 a modern steam plate-mill was erected with 
chilled rolls twenty-five by eighty-four inches, the old mill be- 
coming a puddling mill. At length there was put in position 
a three-high mill, with solid chilled rolls, 34 inches in diameter 
by 120 inches hmg, weighing eighteen tons each. At that time 
this was the largest mill of its kind ever erected in the United 
States. 

The capital (and surplus) employed in the business is over 
$1,000,000, the capacity of the works being 75,000 tons per year. 
The number of men on the pay roll is 500, and the amount of money 
paid out annually to employes is |250,000. The plant covers 
nearly fifty acres of ground, and the quantity of freight, both in 
and out of the works, is 175,000 tons per year. Connected with 
the plant at the present time are six open-hearth furnaces— in 
three of which is used the basic process, and in the other three 
the acid process. The heating furnaces number nine and the 
trains of rolls three. A machine-shop, a fitting-shop, a carpenter- 
shop, a blacksmith-shop, a turning department, a supply building 
and an electric apparatus constitute portions of the equipment. 
An electric charging machine performs the work of several men, 
and two small locomotives move material from place to place. 
Hydraulic handling cranes are placed wherever they can be used 
to advantage, the largest lifting eighteen tons. Four hydraulic 
cranes in the shipping house, which is 240 feet long, are each ca- 
pable of lifting five tons. Two large flanging machines, capable 
of turning the largest sized boiler heads, machines for making 
flue holes in boiler heads, one of them a hydraulic machine with 



6o2 CHESTER COUNTY 

a cylinder 48 iaches in diameter, and macliines for manufactur- 
ing patent steel boiler braces, of which latter Mr. A. F. Huston 
is the patentee, are in position. One of the engines is 60x3( 
inches, having an indicated horse power of 2,000, and another 
engine is 48x28 inches. The twenty-live large gas producers sup 
ply the steel plant and the i)late mills, the four reverbei'atory fur 
naces using coal. The mill across the Brandywine has four fur 
naces. 

The officers of this company at the present time are A. F. 
Huston, president; C. L. Huston, vice-president, and Joseph Hump- 
ton, secretary' and treasurer. 

This history of the Lukens Iron and Steel Company cannot 
well be closed without at least brief reference to the man to whose 
efforts, since the death of Mrs. Lukens, its success and present 
standing in the industrial world are mainly due. Dr. Charles 
Huston was born in Philadelphia in 1822, graduated at the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania in 1840, finished a three years' course in 
medicine at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1843, 
and supplemented this coui'se in medical study by an eighteen 
months' special course in Europe. He began the practice of his 
profession in Philadelphia, married Miss Isabella Lukens of 
Coatesville, and settled down to the laborious life of a practicing 
physician. In LS48 he moved to the country, and in 1849 became 
engaged in the iron business, which he continuously followed un- 
til his death in Januarj', 1897. Iq 1875, when the government 
of the United States began requiring that plates used in the con- 
struction of steamboat boilers should be stamped with their 
tensile strength. Dr. Huston promptly purchased a testing ma- 
chine, and began investigating the properties of iron and steel, 
and in 1877, when the manufacturers of boiler plates were re- 
quested by the Treasury Department of the United States gov- 
ernment to send a committee to Washington to advise with the 
Board of Supervising Steamboat Inspectors in framing a proper 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 603 

standard of tests, Dr. Hustou was chosen chairman of the com- 
mittee, and because of his practical knowledge of the character 
of metal and his experience in testing, his recommendations were 
adopted by the Board of Inspectors. In later years his conn eel 
was frequently sought by tlie Government of the United States, 
and liis views were also sought and followed by tlie leading steam 
boiler inspectors and insurance companies in this country. Dr. 
Huston was one of the leading authorities in the United States 
upon the iron and steel industry, and in 1878-79 he published 
revised articles in the journal of the Franklin Institute upon the 
behavior of iron and steel under varying conditions of heat and 
stress. These articles attracted the attention of engineers abroad 
years afterward, when they began this line of investigation. 

In 1895 Dr. Huston was selected by Chauncey M. Depew as 
the man best qualified by ability and experience to write the article 
on the iron and steel industrj' in his comprehensive history of 
"One Hundred Years of American Commerce." The natural 
ability of Dr. Huston and his scientific acquirements permeated 
every department of the Lukens Works, and the influence of his 
high personal character was always felt, not only throughout 
these works, but also throughout the community in which he 
lived. 

The Coatesville Boiler Works were started in 1886 by Fred- 
erick Potter, A. J. George, H. C. Smith and Cyrus Shank, who 
rented the old planing-mill property of William T. Hunt's estate, 
and began making boilers under the firm name of Setter, George 
& Co. The entire amount of capital invested in the business at 
first was less than $700, but each member of the firm was a skilled 
mechanic, and by turning out first-class work at moderate prices 
they gradually built up the business w'hich amounted the first 
year to $11 ,000. 

In 1887 Messrs. Smith and Shank withdrew from the part- 
nership, and were succeeded by Frederic and George E. Eeif, 



6o4 CHESTER COUNTY 

Frederic Eeif selling his interest in 1890 to Charles Edgerton, a 
mechanical engineer of Philadelphia. This year the firm pur- 
chased the oM round-house property of the Wilmington and North- 
ern Railroad Company, and erected their present shops. The 
main building is 60x160 feet, with additional buildings for the en- 
gine and tool rooms, and an annex for the flanging department. 

September 15, 1891, the Coatesville Boiler Works were in- 
corporated, with a capital stock of |50,000, and since the enter- 
prise has grown to its present large proportions. The machinery 
in this plant cost $20,000, and among the most important pieces 
is a pair of bending rolls IS feet 6 inches between housings, with 
double engines attached, capable of bending plates 18 feet wide 
to a circle of 38 inches. These rolls cost |6,000 and weigh thirty- 
five tons. There are also large machines punching five-inch holes 
in g-inch plates with perfect ease. There is also other necessary 
machinery, which it is not necessary to describe. 

The products of these works consist of boilers of various sizes, 
smoke-stacks, stand-pipes, all kinds of tanks, including congealing 
tanks for ice plants, as well as other articles of iron. The num- 
ber of men employed is about sixty, the annual pay roll amount- 
ing to more than .|20,000. The volume of business amounts to 
something over |125,000 per year, and the business has been so 
prosperous that the stock of the company is usually at a premium. 

The officers of the company at present are as follows: F. 
Softer, president; Charles Edgerton, vice-president, and A. J. 
George, secretary and treasurer. 

Ridgway's Foundry of Coatesville, manufacturing water- 
wheels and cranes, was established in 1863, the main business for 
many years being that of keeping in repair the rolling-mills of 
the town and neighborhood, and the manufacture of the old Tyler 
water-wheel. In 1879 William H. Ridgway was admitted to 
partnership with Mr. Craig Ridgway, and soon improved the Tyler 
wheel, bringing out the now celebrated Perfection water-wheel. 





/u^/^^ 



AXD ITH PEOPLIJ. 607 

•which was a success from the start, and which is iu use in Asia, 
Africa and all parts of Europe, as well as iu the United States. 
In 1888 Mr. Eidgway produced, in the invention of his Balanced 
Steam Crane, one of the most notable inventions of the day. This 
is one of the most successful enterprises of its iiind in the country. 

The Coatesville Casket Company was organized at a stock- 
liolders' meeting held February 20, 189G, the directors elected then 
being Joseph N. AVoodward, L. B. Henson, Charles W. Ash, John 
W. Thompson, W. P. Moore, O. A. Boyle, W. S. Young, J. L. 
Xiovett, and .J. H. C. McClure, and these directors elected J. N. 
Woodward president, John W. Thompson treasurer and H. 0. 
McClure secretary. The company was incorporated in March, 
1896, with a capital of $25,000, at Avhich it still remains. They 
purchased an old shoe factory building at the corner of Main 
Street and Sixth Avenue, to which they made some improvements 
and additions, and which they still use. The product of the fac- 
tory consists of all kinds of caskets, the specialty being those 
made of oak and mahogany. The first year's output was worth 
about .f 10,000, the capacity of the works being about $50,000 worth 
of products. The officers of the company at the present time are 
the same as those mentioned above. 

The Viaduct Iron Works were purchased at sheriff's sale 
about 1853 by Hugh E. Steel and S. B. Worth, under the firm name 
of Steel & Worth. They were then known as the Tridelphi Iron 
Works, but the name was changed by the new owners to the 
Viaduct Iron Works, they being situated in the borough of Coates- 
ville, directly underneath the high Pennsylvania railway bridge 
spanning the Brandywine. At this time the mill consisted of two 
small trains of rolls, driven by water. Steel & Worth immedi- 
ately increased in size both sets of rolls, using all the water power 
to drive one set, and introducing a steam engine to drive the 
other. In 1861 they erected another steam mill, and in 1868 still 
another and larger mill was erected. Since 1872 all the rolls have 
35 



6o8 CHESTER COUNTY 

been operated by steam. In 1874, owing to the death of !^. B. 
Worth, the firm was dissolved, and later the works were continued 
by Hugh E. Steel and the heirs of S. B. Worth, under the 
name of Steel & Worth Company, the same being incorporated. 
In 1880 the Worths withdrew from the corporation, and the name 
was changed to the Coatesville Ii'on Company. In 1888 the works. 
were purchased by J. S. & AV. P. Woi"th, who have since continued 
it under the firm name of the Coatesville Boiling Mill Company. 
The present capacity of the works is about 15,000 tons annually. 

The Brandywine Rolling Mills was erected in 1880 by Worth 
Brothers (J. Sharpless and William P.). Upon its commencement 
the product of the mills was about 3,000 tons of finished plates 
annually, and this capacity was increased from time to time, as 
occasion demanded. In 1895 the firm was iucorj^orated as Worth 
Brothers Company, the Worths being the principal stockholders, 
the capital stock being placed at |250,000. Radical improve- 
ments were made and the works generally enlarged. An open- 
hearth steel plant and a large three-high plate-mill, including 
rolls eleven feet wide (the largest in Pennsylvania), were estab 
lished. These works are located in East Fallowfleld Township, 
about one-half a mile from the borough line of Coatesville, and 
contiguous to the Wilmington & Northern Railway. The busi- 
ness consists mainly in the manufacture of open-hearth steel- 
plates and sheets. Steel is manufactured by both the basic aud 
the acid process, and all the improvements in the methods or pro- 
cesses of making steel are here in use. The mills have a capacity 
of about 40,000 tons of finished steel per year, and this capacity is 
being increased by the addition of more furnaces. 

Hoopes Bros. «& Darlington, manufacturers of wheels of all 
kinds, established themselves in business in West Chester in 1868, 
though, at the beginning, only William and Thomas Hoopes were 
in the firm. Shortly afterward Stephen P. Darlington became 
a member of the firm, and the name given above was adopted. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 609 

The business at first consisted of tlie manufacture of spolies, but 
in 1870 tiie manufacture of bent rims was added, and in 1872 the 
manufacture of Avheels. From that time on the manufacture of 
spolves gradually was discontinued, as the timber fit for such 
purposes diminished in quantity, and the manufactui'e of wheels 
as gradually increased, until, at the present time, it is almost ex- 
clusively the business of the company. All kinds of wheels are 
made, from those on the lightest wagons up to those on wagons 
which carry twenty-five tons. The market for the product of this 
establishment, which is located on Market Street, just east of the 
railroad, is confined mainly to a radius of three hundred miles, 
but still a portion of the product is shipped to England and other 
European countries. The floor space of the buildings is equal to 
about two acres; the capital employed is about |200,000; the force 
ranges from 140 to 175 men, and the product of the works ranges 
from 12.50,000 to |300,000 per year. The members of the firm at 
the present time are William and Thomas Hoopes and Edwin S. 
Darlington, the two brothers having been continuously in the com- 
pany. 

The Sharpless Separator Works were established in 1885 by 
Philip M. Sharpless in a building where the stocking factory now 
is located, with five men and less than .f200 capital, the success 
with which he has met being attributable to the mechanical 
knowledge acquired in various manufactories of steam engines 
and other factories of a similar nature and to industi*y and de- 
termination to succeed. The business which Mr. Sharpless owns 
and manages has grown in sixteen years to be one of the most 
successful in the country, turning out a product that goes ex- 
tensively into every dairy country of the earth. Many carloads 
of machinery were shipped in 1897 to Australia, New Zealand, 
Africa, South America, Europe, and other foreign countries. 

The special product is the Cream Separator, an implement 
which, within the last few years, has revolutionized the dairying 



6io CHESTER COUNTY 

business of the country. Thousands of machines are annually 
put into the hands of dairymen and farmers, who, though not 
skilled in the handling of machinery, yet have no difficulty in man- 
aging a separator which makes 25,000 revolutions per minute, 
day after day, with an expense that is merely trifling, with rarely 
a breakdown and never a life endangered. The buildings are 
located in the immediate vicinity of the Villa Maria Academy, 
on the railroad, thus possessing every needed shipping facility. 
The works spend |20,000 per year in advertising, and in connec- 
tion with its branch houses at Dubuque, Omaha, and at Elgin, 
employ about 300 people, and over half a million dollars of capital, 
and on January 1, 1898, there was not a dollar outstanding 
against them anywhere. The success of Mr. Sharpless in build- 
ing up and conducting this business has been most remarkable, 
and is a valuable object lesson to those who may feel that they 
have within them the enterprising spirit necessary to success, 
but yet hesitate to put it into practical operation. 

The Edison Electric Ilhaminating Company of West Chester 
was organized in 1885, and erected in that place the third plant 
of the kind in the State of Pennsylvania. The directors of the 
company at first were K. T. Cornwell, H. C. Baldwin, E. H. Hemp- 
hill, T. Brown, Dr. Isaac Massey, A. Hoopes, K. E. Monaghan, W. 
Hoopes and F. P. Darlington. The officers of this company from 
its organizatiou to the present time have been and are as follows: 
K. T. Cornwell, president; John A. Eupert, secretary, and D. M. 
McFarland, treasurer. 

The object for which this company was organized was th<j 
manufactui'e of light and power, and for this purpose it purchased 
a building at the northwest corner of Chestnut and Walnut 
Streets, into which the first plant, which was much less in com- 
pleteness and effectiveness than that at present in use, was placed. 
The present building is a two-and-a-half-story brick, 50x120 feet 
in size, and there is a boiler-house one story high. The equip- 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 6ii 

ment at the present time consists of five boilers and six engines, 
with an aggregate of 750-horse power. All of the engines are 
high-speed automatic ones, three of them straight lines, one of 
the others being made by the McEwen Company, one by the Beck 
Company, and one by the Ames Company. The dynamos are as 
follows : 

Four 30-kilowatt dynamos, with 125 voltage, the first intro- 
duced in 1885, for the purpose of incandescent lighting and fur- 
nishing power to manufacturers of AVest Chester. 

Two 50-kilowatt dynamos, introduced in Februai-y, 1887, for 
the same purpose. 

Two 60-kilowatt railway generators of 500 voltage, for the 
purpose of furnishing power to the street railway company, in- 
troduced in the early part of 1801. 

One Edison series-arc thirty-five lights machine, for supply- 
ing commercial lights to stores, introduced in 1891, and another 
for the same purpose, introduced in 1892. 

One Thomson-Houston series-arc fifty lights machine, for 
supplying arc lights for the streets, introduced in 1893, and a 
similar machine, introduced in 1895. 

It may be proper to state in this connection that a kilowatt 
is a thousand watts, and that T4G watts is equal to one horse- 
power. 

The present directors of this company are as follows; E. T. 
Coruwell, H. C. Baldwin, T. Brown, J. S. Evans, F. P. Darlington, 
P. E. Jefferis, Abuer Hoopes, and Samuel Marshall. 

Damon & Speakman jvere engaged for several years in the 
manufacture of a arious implments that are used on or about the 
farm, their I'ouudry and machine shop being located in West Ches- 
ter, where now stands the artificial ice plant. They began busi- 
ness about 1855, making horse-powers, corn-shellers, lime-spread- 
ers, etc. In 1858 they began nmkiug the Hubbard mowing ma- 
chine, then the best in use. They also made one-horse power 



6i2 CHESTER COUNTY 

maoliine, for running the churn, and the butter worker, all of 
these before the war of the Eebellion. 

The Parkersburg Iron Company's Works were started in 1873, 
by Horace A. Beale, and afterward the firm became Horace A. 
Beale & Co. by the admission of William H. Gibbous of Coates- 
ville to partnership. In 1882 the present companj- was organ- 
ized and incorporated with a capital of .fl2o,000. The first offi- 
cers were Horace A. Beale, president; William H. Gibbons, vice- 
president; Amos Michener, secretary, Samuel E. Parke»' treasurer, 
and A. J. Williams, general manager. These persons remained 
in their respective offices until the fall of 1897, when Horace A. 
Beale died, and Mr. Gibbons became president, Horace A. Beale, 
Jr., vice-president; William C. Michener, secretary; George 
Thomas (3), treasurer, and the general manager remaining the 
same, though an assistant general manager was provided in the 
person of E. H. Brodhead. 

The product of these mills consists of boiler tube-iron skelp, 
the annual output being about 10,000 tons. The buildings con- 
sist of three mill buildings, one forge building, two charcoal 
houses, two scrap houses, a machine shop, two trimming houses 
and other necessary buildings. The mill consists of three two- 
high plate lines driven by a horizontal slide-valve engine; one 
three-high muck-bar roll-train driven by a vertical slide-valve 
engine; three puddling furnaces with double-acting upright ham- 
mer; nine heating furnaces; twelve forge fires, and two horizontal 
hammers. The inachine shop is fitted up with all necessar.y ma- 
chinery. There are employed at these works about 300 men. 

Capt. Horace A. Beale, deceased, former president of the 
Parkesburg Iron Company, was born in Philadelphia, January 2.5, 
1827. The first member of the Beale family to settle in Chester 
County was William Beale, a son of Thomas and Catherine Beale, 
of Calne, in Wiltshire, England. Horace A. Beale was a son of 
Joseph and Margaret (McDowell) Beale, the former of whom died 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 613 

on his farm uear Downiugtown, iu ISil, his wife having died in 
1834. 

Keared mainly in Chester County, Horace A. Beale received 
his education in the old Philadelphia Academy and at the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania. In 1846 he became a clerk at the Laurel 
Iron Works, and there gained his first knowledge of the iron busi- 
ness. Going to Phoenixville soon afterward, he became a clerk 
in the Phoenixville Iron "Works, and there acquired a knowledge 
of tbe iron business in all its details. In 1852 he purchased the 
Thorndale Iron Works, and while occupied in the management 
of these works made himself familiar with everything connected 
with the industry in which he was engaged. In 1882 he estab- 
lished the Parkesburg Iron Company, of which he was president 
the remainder of his life, and which he made an unusual success. 
One of the results of the location of the works in this place was 
the growth of Parkesburg from a population of about 300 to one 
of nearly 2,000, as it is at the present time. While Capt. Beale 
encoutered many obstacles, yet he overcame them all, and 
achieved a very substantial success. 

One of the features of Mr. Beale's character was his uniform 
courtesy and kindly disposition. He was in reality the idol of 
his employes, all of whom he knew by name, and all of whom 
he always treated with the greatest interest and sympathy. The 
result of this kindly interest was that every man in his employ 
labored diligently for the interest of his employer, and strikes iu 
his works were unknown. This is believed to be the true secret 
of success in the treatment of the laboring man. He is entitled to 
justice under the bare contract for the surrender of his time and 
the expenditure of his energy, and he is in a certain sense entitled 
to more than justice, iu order that he may be in some degree 
contented Avith his lot. And no one can appreciate more than he 
such kindly sympathy as was always extended by Capt. Horace A. 
Beale. When he died November 3, 1897, he was sincerelj' mourned 
hy all, family, friends, employes, all that knew him. 



6i4 CHESTER COUNTY 

The Downingtown Manufacturing Company (Limited), was 
organized as a stock company under the act of June 2, 1874, ou 
November 20, 1884, though the business had been carried on from 
1881 by Guyon Miller and A. B. Tutton as a private concern. 
When the stock company was fomied it was authorized to have a 
capital of |33,500, which was subsequently increased to $50,500. 
The first officers of the company were A. B. Tutton chairman, and 
Guyon Miller secretary and treasurer. The works are located on 
Washington Avenue and the Pennsylvania Railroad, and consist 
of several buildings such as are needed in an establishment of the 
kind. The products of the works consist of patent beating en- 
gines and fourdrinier and cylinder paper machines. The annual 
capacitj^ of the works is |125,000 worth of these goods. 

S. Austin Bicking's Paper Mills, Nos. 1 and 2, ai-e located in 
Downingtown, No. 1 having been started in 1881 by Mr. Bicking 
at the corner of Brandywine and Lancaster Avenues. No. 2 was 
started in 1895, a flour mill formerly belonging to Mr. Shelmire 
being converted into a paper mill. At the present time Mr. Bick- 
ing's sons are in partnership with him in the operation of the 
mills, which manufacture wrapping, roofing and rosin-sized build- 
ing pajjer, and binders' and trunk boards. 

F. P. Miller manages a paper mill as agent, and William 
Kerr also has a paper mill in the southern part of Downingtown. 

The Downingtown Brick Works are located in East Downing- 
town, and are owned by W. Logan Rogers and Lewis Miller, under 
the firm name of Rogers & Miller. They were established in 1892 
by Rogers & Kerr, who ran them about one year, when the firm 
became Rogers & Parke. In 1897 the firm became Rogers & 
Miller, as it is at present. Twenty-one acres are occupied by the 
firm, who employ an average of about thirty men, and manu- 
facture about 3,500,000 brick per annum. 

James Florey's brick yard is also in East Downingtown, and 
was established in 1895. He OAvns fourteen acTes of laud, em- 



AND JTS PEOPLE. 615 

ploys from twenty-five to thirty meu, auti makes about 5,000,000 
brick per year. 

The Ohalfaut Maniifaoturiug Company's business, located at 
Atglen, was established in 1873 by Isaac P. Clmlfant, who carried 
on the business alone until tlie company was incorporated in 
1890, under the above name. Isaac P. Chalfant was the first 
president of the company, and T. vS. Chalfant secretary. The 
business of Isaac P. Chalfant and of the company has been and is 
the manufacture of the Potts sad-irons, invented b.y Mr. Potts. 
These sad-irons are known all over the world, and since the patent 
expired in 1888 have been manufactured largely in most civilized 
countries. At the i^resent time the headquarters of the company 
are at Lancaster, the establishment at Atglen being only a bramli, 
and being located on a small branch of Octoraro Creek, about 
half a. mile above the borough of Atglen. 

The American Eoad Machine Company was organized Marc h 
1, 188G, with the following officers: Samuel Pennock, pi'esideut; 
George W. Taft, vice-president; C. J. Pennock, secretary, and Ed- 
ward Lewis, treasurer. From 1881 to 188G the business was car- 
ried on under the name of S. Pennock & Sons' Company, and 
from 1877 to 1881 under the name of S. Pennock & Sons. 

Samuel Pennock is the patriarch of Kennett Squan\ From 
a farmhouse just beyond the borough limits this now venerable 
man came to the place, and together with his brothers, Morton 
and Barkley, erected the machine shops now owned by J. M. 
Worrall, and engaged in the manufacture of agricultural imple- 
ments. Moses Pennock and his son, Samuel, invented the first 
practical grain drill in America, and also a corn-sheller. Samuel 
Pennock's harvesting machine was tfie first machine of the kind 
which enabled the operator to manipulate it while remaining 
seated upon it. In the establishment where these implements 
were manufactured there were employed about thirty men. In 
1858 or 1859 the car shops were built by the Penuocks, in which 



6i6 CHESTER COUNTY 

freight cars, principally, were made, and about 125 u:en were 

employed. 

Mr. Pennock invented the road-machine which gives its 
name to the American Road Machine Company, in 1877^ without 
knowing of the existence of any similar invention in the country, 
but others were at work on the same idea, and many t\iOusauds 
have been sold, but the combined inventions of several companies 
have given the public the perfection of such a machine. For the 
past eighty-one years Mr. Samuel Pennock has been a resident of 
Kennett Square, with the exception of two years spent in Uniou- 
ville, one year with the Pusey & Harlem Company of Wilmington, 
Delaware, and four and a half years in Ithaca, Xew York. He 
lias been an anti-slavery man, a in'ohibitionist and a equal suf- 
fragist, and is in favor of more light being thrown on every phase 
of socialism. 

In 188G George W. Taft, of Abington, Connecticut, made a 
consolidation with the tirm in Kennett Square, and the capital of 
the new company was increased to .f250,000. Then about half of 
the buildings now in use had been erected, their elegant brick 
office building having also been erected since then. This com- 
pany- manufactures road-machines, rock-crushers, road-rollers, 
and other valuable inventions. The officers of the companj- at 
the present time are: George W. Taft, president; Edward Lewis, 
vice-president; S. Jones Philips, secretary and treasurer, and the 
board of directors consists of the above-named officers and Henry 
O. Davis and Wilfred Lewis. 

Cassel's Terra Cotta Works at Kennett Square were located 
in this place in 1894, but had been in existence pi-eviously for 
about twenty years, for fifteen of which years in Philadelphia. In 
Kennett the building is a three-story brick, 40x80 feet in size, and 
here all kinds of rustic teiTa-cotta are made. The goods find a 
market in all parts of the United States and in Europe. The 
■office of the works is at 700 Arch Street, Philadelphia. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 617 

Joseph E. Gawthrop is eugaged in the manufacture of fei'- 
tilizers of all kinds in Keunett Square, succeeding his father, 
James Gawthrop, ■n'ho clied in ISST, his factoi*j' being located in 
the southern part of the village. 

The Fiber Specialty Company was organized June S, 1898, 
with officers as follows: George W. Taft, president; Ishael Mai*- 
shall, vice-president; C. J. Pennock, secretary, and S. Jones Philips, 
treasurer. The capital stock of the company is $50,000, and tin- 
plant is located on AYest Cedar Street and the railway. The 
building is a two and a half story brick, 40x120 feet, and contains 
all the machinery for the proper carrying on of the business. The 
boiler is a forty-horse power one, and the engine is of fifteen-horse 
power. All kinds of fiber goods are manufactured, such as trunks, 
valises, traveling bags, etc. 

The Kennett Foundry and Machine Works, of which -T. Eli 
Crozier is the proprietor, were established in 1887, by Mr. Crozier. 
They are located on South Union Street and the railway, the 
building consisting of a brick-machine shop, a lafge brick foundry, 
and several others necessary to such an enterprise. Mr. Crozier 
turns out about |25,000 worth of products each year, which con- 
sist in part of parts of the rock-crusher and of the road-machine 
made by the American Eoad Machine Company-, and he employs 
on the average twenty-two men. • 

The Oxford Milling Company was organized in March, 18S8, 
with a capital of .f2.5,000. The company manufactures high-grade 
winter wheat flours, their mill being equipped with the latest im- 
proved roller process machinery. The leading brands of flour 
made are the "Passmore Fancj-," the "White Daisy," the "White 
Plume,'" and the "Arbutus." The officers at present are W. F. 
Dowdall, president; H. P. Passmore, secretary and manager; 
D. M. Taylor, treasurer, and J. Haunan, superintendent. The 
mills are adjacent to the ti'acks of the Central Division of the 
Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad, and they have a 
large export ti-ade to Cuba and European countries. 



6i8 CHESTER COUNTY 

Wilson, Piigli & Wilson, successors to Bailey & "SVilson, have 
been in the business of manufacturing carriages, buggies, etc., 
for more than thirty-five years. Their buildings on Pine Street are 
conveniently arranged, the main building being 30x100 feet, two 
stories above the basement, and is used as a repository. Three 
other buildings are in use, a smith-shop, .a wood-shop and a two- 
story building used both as a I'epository and a paint and trimming 
shop. The territory over which the trade of this firm extends em- 
braces the surrounding country in Southern Pennsylvania and 
Northern Maryland, and such large cities as Philadelphia, Balti- 
more, Chicago, and portions of the states of Maine, New York, 
Ohio, and states intermediate between Ohio and Alabama. The 
firm is now composed of Samuel W. Wilson, A. Louis Pugh and 
J. Henry Wilson, the last named being the son of the first named. 
In 1897 this firm began the sale of agricultural implements. 

Chandler & Andrews operate the only planing-mill in Oxford. 
The building consists of a two-story brick, 60x40 feet, with an 
"L" 18x21 feet, and is well designed for rapid and perfect worl;. 
Every description of sash, doors, blinds, moldings, and finishing 
materials are turned .out, and the firm deals extensively in lumber, 
tiour, feed, grain and hay. F. G. Andrews became a member of the 
firm in September, 1895. In the planing is one large planer and 
several joiners, the machinery being propelled by a thirty-horse 
power engine. 

The Oxford Caramel Company was incorporated according to 
the laws of Pennsylvania November 1, 1891, with a capital of 
1100,000. The officers at first were as follows: President, W. F. 
Parker; secretaiy and treasurer, H. U. Williams; directors, W. F. 
Parker, H. U. Williams, D. M. Taylor, J. E. Eamsey and W. T. 
Donald. At the present H. U. Williams is president, H. L. Shum- 
Avay, secretary and treasurer, and the directors are as follows: 
H. U. Williams, D. M. Taylor, J. E. Ramsey, H. L. Shumway and 
W. II. Wieting. 



AND 77'.S' PEOPLE. 619 

The business was founded in 1882 in Pliiladelpliia by W. I". 
Parker. On January 1, 1892, Mr. Parlier and H. U. Williams 
formed a co-partnership under the firm name of W. F. Parker & 
Co., removing the business to Oxford in April following". The 
establishment has always been distinguished for enterprise and 
its business has steadily and rapidly increased. The daily ca- 
pacity of the works is between seven and eight tons, caramels 
being manufactured under fifty or sixty different forms, and 
special novelties are being constantly added. These caramels be- 
ing made of the best materials to be had command a steady 
preference wherever introduced. About three hundred hands are 
employed and the products of the factory are shipped all over the 
United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe and Aus- 
ti'alia. 

The Johnson Carriage Company, Limited, was organized in 
1880, and manufactures a full line of carriages, buggies, phaeton, 
road carts, spring wagons, etc. A specialty is made of the three- 
spring handy milk-wagon, and prompt attention is given to re- 
pairing. The officers of the company are as follows: Joseph 
Leeke, president; John H. Kimbell, treasurer; Joseph E. Johnson, 
general manager. Mr. Johnson has had many years' experience 
in every department of carriage building, and his experience is of 
much value to the enterprise. 

The Oxford Machine Works, formerly the Woodside Manu- 
facturing Company, were established in 1895, by John W. Wood- 
side, the name being changed to the Oxford Machine Works in 
1897. The factory is located on Fourth and South Streets, and 
manufactures flour and feed mill machinerj', as well as other kinds 
of machineiw. The officers at the present time are: John W. 
Woodside, president; J. H. Dawson, vice-president; J. C. Worth, 
secretai-j-, and E. (1. Woodside, treasurer. 

The Chester Pottery Company, Limited, was incorporated 
June 1, 1891, with the following officers: E. L. Buckwalter, presi- 



620 CHESTER COUNTY 

dent ; H. I. Brownback, secretary and treasurer, and David Smith, 
general manager. The officers have remained the same to the- 
present time, except that David Smith died in May, 1896, and was 
succeeded by William M. Chantry. The capital stock of the com- 
pany was at first |20,000, and is now .^2.5,000. 

The business carried on by this company was started in 1805, 
by a Mr. Shriver, who made yellow ware. L. B. Beerbower & 
Company had the works from about 1872 to 1874, when Mr. Beer- 
bower sold out to Griffen, Smith & Co., wlio were the proprietors 
until 1881, and then Griffen, Love & Co. succeeded to the business 
retaining it until 1890. Then the Griffen China Company came 
into possession of the property and business, running it about one 
year. From 1891 to 1891 the works remained idle, and then the 
present company purchased the pi»operty, and have since been 
maniifacturing all kinds of pottery, employing from eighty-five to 
one hundred hands, and turning out from |fiO,000 to |70,000 worth 
of product per year. The works are located at the corner of 
Church and Starr Streets. 

Byrne, Parsons & Co., the firm being composed of Thomas F. 
Byrne and William H. Parsons, proprietors of the largest knitting 
works in Phoenixville, began the business in which they are now 
engaged in 1885. At first they were located in a small frame 
building on Jackson Street, remaining there until 1890. Then, 
after being on Hall Street until 1890, they removed to their pres- 
ent three-story and basement building, which is 140x40 feet in 
size, and fully equipped with knitting and sewing machines, the 
machinery being propelled by a seventy-five-horse power engine. 
The company manufactures hose and ladies' underwear, employs 
about 175 hands, and turns out annually about $175,000 worth of 
goods. 

The Phoenixville Knitting Mills were established in 1891, by 
the present firm, Davis, IJussell & Co., composed of Amber Davis, 
William Eussell and Jonathan Davis. Their building is on Breck- 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 621 

enridge Street, is two stories high, and at first was 32xG0 feet in 
size, an addition of the same size being erected in 1894. These 
works are well equipped with knitting and sewing machines, 
which are run by a ten-horse power steam engine. The company 
employs about eighty hands and manufactures about |TO,000 
worth of hose and ladies' underwear, the latter feature of the 
business being added in 1S94, when the second building was 
erected. 

The Pereeverance Knitting Company was organized in the 
spring of 1896 at Spring City, and moved down to Phcenixville in 
September, 1897. This company is composed of William Eice, 
Annie R. Davis and Hiram Buckwalter. The business is ou Van- 
derslice Street, and is in the same building with the Schuylkill 
Valley Illuminating Company. This company manufactures 
ladies' undem-ear, employs about thirty hands, and turns out 
about |25,000 worth per year. Mrs. Annie R. Davis is president 
of the company- and William Rice secretary and treasurer. 

William J. O'Donuell began the business of knitting ladies' 
underwear in February, 1896, in the upper story of a two-story 
building owned by himself on Hall Street, the lower story being 
used for the manufacture of paper boxes. He employs about ten 
hands and manufactures from .f6,000 to .flO,000. Power for pro- 
pelling the machinery in this factoiy is derived from the Schuyl- 
kill Yallej' Illuminating Company. 

Parsons & Angstadt, proprietors of knitting mills at the 
corner of Hall Street and Lincoln Avenue, Phcenixville, the firm 
being composed of Lewis Parsons and Peter Angstadt, began 
business in August, 1897. Their building is a two-story brick, and 
is fitted np with machinery suitable to the knitting of ladies' fine 
hosiery. The firm employs about twenty hands, and turns out 
from |7,000 to .|10,000 worth of goods per year. Power is de- 
rived from a steam engine in the first story of the building. 

The Union Knitting Company, composed of H. W. and E. PJ. 



622 CHESTER COUNTY 

Walters, began business in April, 1897, renting a two-story brick 
building on Main Street, near Church. They carry on the business 
of knitting ladies' undei-wear, tlieir machinery being propelled 
by electric power derived from the Schuylkill Valley Illuminating 
Company, about twenty-five hands being employed, and from |G0,- 
000 to 170,000 worth of product being manufactured annually. 

The Phoi-nixville Industrial Association was incorporated 
under the laws of the State of New Jersey March 22, 1898, with a 
capital of |100,000. The stockholders numbered about 150, and 
the first board of directors and officers were as follows: Paul S. 
Reeves, president; Amos G. Gotwals, treasurer; Dr. J. P. Eldridge, 
vice-president; C. H. Howell, secretary; Thomas D. Grover, David 
Schmutz, V. N. Shaffer, Thomas L. Snyder, John S. Dismant and 
J. F. Starkey, Jr. 

Five acres of land was donated to the enterprise by John 
Gallagher of Pho?nixville, the land being located on Franklin 
Avenue at the coruer of Grant Street. Ground was broken for 
the erection of a building June 15, 1898, the building to be of 
brick, and 50x300 feet in size, aud there is to be also a boiler and 
engine building and a good sized office besides. The purpose of 
the association is to manufacture silk ribbon, and the works are 
to be operated by Johnson, Cowden & Co. of Xew York City. 
When in full operation it is expected this company will employ 
400 hands. 

The Schuylkill Valley Illuminating Company was organized 
in 1892, and purchased its present plaut of a construction com- 
pany. It is located at No. 413 Vanderslice Street, the building 
being of brick. The equipment consists of three steam engines, 
one of 125, one of 85 and one of three hundred and fifty-horse 
power; one fifty-light arc dynamo; one 65 kilowatt and one 25 
kilowatt machine; two alternating dynamos, one of (30 amperes 
and the other of 30 amperes; the steam for the three engines be- 
ing supplied by three boilers of an aggregate of five-hundred-horse 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 623 

power. This company have on their circnit at present 55 are 
lights in Phoenixville, and about 3,000 incandescent lights. They 
have about 100 miles of wire, and besides lighting Phoenixville, 
they light Spring City and Eoyer's Ford with both arc and in- 
candescent liglits, and Mont Clare with incandescent lights alone. 
They also supply electricity for direct and alternating fans, and 
for ten electric motors. 

The Schuylkill Iron Works were established in 1873 by Deni- 
thorue Brothers. The business consists in the manufacture of 
bridges, standpipes, tanks and boilers and passed into the hands 
of John Denithorne, Sons & Co. in 1886. The plant covers about 
two acres of ground, one of the buildings being 50x60 feet, and 
another 90x105 feet, the latter erected in 1892. The line of manu- 
factures consists of roadway bridges, roof trusses, standpipes, rail- 
way bridges and iron roofing, and many contracts are taken for 
work in all parts of the county. 

The Ahwaga Manufacturing Companj' of Phoenixville was in- 
corporated under the laws of New Jersey for the purpose of manu- 
facturing parlor, sulphur and other matches. Its officers are Ed- 
ward M. Lockwood, president; Allen W. Poucher, treasurer, and 
■George R. Moore, Jr., secretary. The board of directors consists 
of the above-named gentlemen and Prof. I. B. Poucher, Os- 
wego, New York; W. A. Poucher, Oswego, New York; Paul 
S. Reeves, Phoenixville, and Alexander Duer, Camden New 
Jersey. This company has the exclusive right to use new, 
improved, patented and exceedingly valuable machinery for 
manufacturing matches, thus effecting a great saving in the 
cost of production, and besides improved methods in the manu- 
facture of matches, the matches after they are made are counted 
and boxed by machine and are delivered for shipment directly 
from it. The earning capacity of the plant of twenty machines 
working ten hours per day is |18T,500, and the cost of the plant 
was $250,000. 
36 



624 CHESTER COUNTY 

William Walter Jefferis is the son of Horatio Townseud and 
Hannah (Paul) Jefferis, and was born in West Chester, Jauuaiy 
12, 1820. At an early age he became interested in mineralogy, 
from hearing a lecture on the subject, and at once took up the 
hammer, proceeding to investigate the minerals to be found within 
walking distance of his home. Two older experts, Lewis White 
Williams and Dr. William Hartman, rendered him valuable as- 
sistance, and through the industrious use of all his spare time his 
collection grew to respectable dimensions, many fine specimens 
from local quarries adorning his shelves. 

His education was derived at the old West Chester Academy 
and principally under the instruction of Jonathan Gause, and on 
leaving school he was offered a clerkship in the Chester Count}' 
Bank, in which his father had long been teller. After filling this 
position some years he was called to the cashiership of the bank, 
and in all positions held by him he was ever faithful to the inter- 
ests of his employers, devoting still his spare time to his favorite 
study, mineralogy. 

Mr. Jefferis in his early researches discovered a mineral some- 
what similar to mica that had not yet been named, and on its being 
submitted to the best authorities it was named Jell'erisite, in 
honor of its discoverer. Mr. Jefferis made the acquaintance of 
several eminent foreign mineralogists, and with them made manj- 
profitable exchanges, thereby greatly increasing the value of his 
own collection. 

After retiring from the cashiership of the bank he made two 
voyages to England and the Continent of Europe, making a thor- 
ough examination of the cabinets of minerals of those countries. 
He was handsomely treated by scientists wherever he went, his 
name having already become familiar to mineralogists through- 
out the world. Having retired from all business and settled in 
Philadelphia in 1882 he there took an active interest in the 
Academy of Natural Sciences, particularly in its minei'alogical 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 625 

section, and he has ever since then added much to the beauty and 
strength of that department. 

His own private collection, still retained in West Chester, is a 
monument to his energy and perseverance, and though there may 
be larger collections in this country, yet there are probably no 
private ones to excel it in the quality or beauty of its specimens. 
His collection of local minerals cannot now and probably never 
will be duplicated, at any price. In the pursuit of his favorite 
study Mr. Jefferis was thrown more or less into contact with other 
natural scientists, and having the advantage of an intimate ac- 
quaintance with Dr. William Darlington, Benjamin M. Everhart 
and other eminent botanists, he became familiar with and took 
delight especially in the flora of his native county. 

Abraham Gibbons, a histoi-y of whom is a part of the history 
of Coatesville, was born in Leacock Township, Lancaster County, 
Pennsylvania, on December 29th, 1812. He was the son of William 
and Hannah Gibbons, the sixth in descent from John and Margery 
Gibbons, who as early as 1634 had immigrated from Warminster, 
in Wiltshire, England, and settled in Delaware County. 

His early life was spent on his father's farm in Lancaster Coun- 
ty. In 1841 he removed to Coatesville, having married Martha 
Pennock, the daughter uf Dr. Cliarles and Rebecca W. Lukeus. 
He became associated with Mrs. Lukens in the management of the 
Brandywine Iron Works. In the course of a few years, about 184G, 
Mrs. Lukens having retired from the business, he associated with 
him his brother-iu-law, tlie late Dr. Charles Huston, under the 
firm name of Gibbons ^^ Huston, and continued actively and sucess- 
fuUy in the iron business until 1857, at which time, the Bank of 
Chester Valley being organized, he retired from the iron business 
and was elected president of the bank, occupying that position 
continuously for twenty-five years, until 1882. 

Desiriuo to be relieved from the arduous duties connected with 
this office, he then resigned his position as president, and was soon 



626 CHESTER COUNTY 

chosen as president of the Mutual Insurance Company of Chester 
County. He continued to occupy that position until declining 
health, in 1893, caused him to give up all active pursuits. 

He was one of the members of the first council of Coatesvillo, 
and was the means of securing for that borough the splendid supply 
of water that it still enjoys. In many ways he labored for the 
good of the community of which he was a part. 

We have spoken of his character as a public man and a citi- 
zen. As a friend, and in his domestic relations, his was an ideal 
nature. 

Absolutely just, his wise counsel and advice were sought by 
all soi-ts and conditions of men. His fine judgment, knowledge of 
human nature, and keen sense of humor made him a very delight- 
ful companion. His manners were so genial and coui'teous, he 
made friends wherever he went. His temper so equable, those who 
had known him for years said no angry word had ever passed his 
lips. 

An earnest and sincere Christian, his charities were numerous 
tut unobtrusively bestowed; and no deserving person ever left his 
presence without the help they had asked for. While he was known 
to be a consistent member of the Society of Friends, he was broad- 
minded, and found good in all men. His friendship was most 
highly prized, and those who mourned his loss felt that of him they 
could truly say, "The path of the just is as a shining light." He 
died May 24th, 1S95, full of years and beloved and regretted by all 
who knew him. 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE PRESS AND LITERATURE, 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE PRESS — EARLIEST NEWSPAPER VENTURES — GAZETTE TEMPERATE ZONE — 

FEDERALIST POLITICAL NOTES INTELLIGENCER AMERICAN REPUBLICAN 

DEMOCRAT — JOURNAL VILLAGE RECORD REGISTER AND EXAMINER 

EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS — PRESS AND ADVERTISER DEMOCRAT — ADVO- 
CATE — WHIG JOURNAL OF THE TIMES — AMERICAN STAR OTHER 

PAPERS — HERALD — REGISTER TIMES — PIONEER LEDGER — PHOENIX 

PULESTON RECENT VENTURES OXFORD PRESS LEADER — FREE 

PRESS ADVERTISER DEMOCRAT — INDEPENDENT REPUBLI- 
CAN UNION TIMES ADVANCE — LOCAL NEWS — MIRROR 

HERALD PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS, LITERATURE. 

THE first attempt to publish a weekly newspaper in Chester 
County was made near the close of the Eighteenth Century by 
three young men named Jones, Hoff and Derrick. They called 
their paper the West Chester Gazette. After finding their venture 
to be premature they discontinued its publication, a few numbers 
only being presented to the community. The latter of the above- 
named three young printers was Philip Derrick, father of William 
iS. and Alexander H. Derrick, who for many years were connected 
with the State Department at Washington, District of Columbia, 
and he was the father-in-law of the Hon. Townsend Haines and 
of William H. Price. 

Philip Derrick was also connected with the first attempt to 
supply Chester County with periodical literature, he and Nathan 
H. Sharpless establishing a monthly paper, entitled the Literary 
Museum or Monthly Magazine, in January, 1797. It was printed 
in a frame building on South High Street, West Chester. For 
the times it was an ambitious publication, containing fifty-sis 
octavo pages of excellent reading matter, and selling for twenty- 
five cents jjer number. Being like the weekly', in advance of the 
requirements of the age, it was published only six months, from 

629 



630 CHESTER COUNTY 

Jauuarr to June, 1797. Some of the numbers were illustrated 
with copper-plate engravings. 

The next paper to be established in this county was the 
Temperate Zone, a weekly paper started in August, 1808, at Down- 
ingtown, by Charles Mowry. Downingtown was then a village of 
some note, situated on the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike, 
a thoroughfare running through the vei'y heart of the then settled 
portion of Eastern Pennsylvania, and quite extensively traveled. 
Having been published one year iinder the title given above, the 
Temperate Zone, its name was then changed to the Downingtown 
American Kepublican, and with the change of name came a 
change in the political complexion of the paper, from neutral to 
Democratic. This change in politics was occasioned by the estab- 
lishment at West Chester in 1809 of a paper called the Chester 
and Delaware Federalist, the politics of which is indicated by its 
name, and of course it was necessary to have a paper on each side 
of the political questions as they then shaped themselves in the 
public mind. 

In those days a Democrat was a Republican and a Republican 
was a Democrat, but the term of Republican was more often used 
than the term Democrat to indicate, an individual opposed to the 
Federal Party. 

This paper was continued under the name of the Downing- 
town American Republican until August 13, 1813, when the first 
word of tie title was dropped, and it was afterward called the 
American, and it was published by Mr. Mowry until November 28, 
1820, when he sold out to William Schultz and William J. Mar- 
shall, who, under the firm name of Schultz & Marshall, commenced 
a new series of the paper, which they published one month, when 
the interest of Mr. Schultz reverted to Mowrj-, and from that time 
until June, 1821, the paper was published by Mr. Mowry and Mr. 
Marshall under the firm name of W. J. Marshall & Co. At this 
time Samuel Johnson purchased Mr. Mowry's interest, and he and 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 631 

Mr. Marshall publislu'd the paper under the firm name of Marshall 
& Johusoii, until May 29, 1822, when Mr. Marshall sold his interest 
to Mr. Johnson, who thus became sole proprietor. 

In the meantime Mr. Mowry, Avho was a vij^orous writer, 
was selected by the leaders of the Democratic-Republican Party 
to go to Harrisburg- to assume editorial control of the Peunsyl- 
A"ania Intelligencer. This selection was made because Mr. Mowry, 
as editor of the American Republican at Downingtown, had used 
his pen in such a vigorous manner in defense of William Findlay, 
then candidate for Governor, who was assailed for some alleged 
malfeasance in the office of t^tate Treasurer, which he had pre- 
viously held. 

In the meantime, also, the American Republican was removed 
to West Chester, the removal occurring April 9, 1822, because of 
the opportunities afforded by a county seat than by a mere town in 
the county, but not because of any dissatisfaction with the town of 
Downingtown. November 17, 1824, Mr. Johnson sold the paper to 
Simeon Siegfiied, who was sole proprietor until May 12, 1829, 
when he sold a half interest to Edgar S. Price, they two publish- 
ing it under the firm name of Siegfried & Price until August 18, 
following, when Mr. Siegfried sold the half interest he had re- 
tained to Robert B. Dodson, and from that time on until July 11, 
1832, it was published by Dodsou & Price. At this time Mr. Dod- 
son sold his interest to Mr. Price, who was then sole proprietor 
until January 29, 1833. 

On January 29, 1833, the American Republican was united 
with the Chester County Democrat, a paper which had been 
started by George Fisher and George W. Crabb, and which paper 
in reality succeeded a paper called the Independent Jnurnal, which 
will be mentioned later on. The first number of the Chester 
County Democrat was published April 20, 1830. In 1831 Mi'. 
Fisher purchased the interest of Mr. Crabb, and continued the 
publication of the paper until 1832, when he removed it from 



632 CHESTER COUNTY 

Downingtown to West Chester, and it was united with the Ameri- 
can Ivepublioan, as stated above. 

Upon the consolidation the firm became Fisher & Price, and 
the name of the paper became the American liepublican and 
•Chester County Democrat. Tlie motto adopted for this united 
paper was "In Union there is vStrength." March 31, 1835, Mr. 
Fisher sold his interest to Caleb H. Kinuard, who had been con- 
nected with the American Spectator at Dowuiugtown, the firm 
name becoming Price & Kinnard. May 7, 1839, Mr. Kinnard sold 
his interest to Nimrod Strickland, the firm name becoming Price 
& .Strickland. March 24, 1846, Mr. Price sold his interest to Henry 
Bosee, the latter of whom had been editor of the Delaware Ga- 
zette, and the new firm was known as Strickland & Bosee. This 
firm published the paper until October 11, 1853, when they sold it 
to George W. Pearce, who published it until his death, April 14, 
18(54, from which time until November, that year, it was published 
by his estate, and then it was sold to Caleb H. Kinnard, who pub- 
lished it until January, 1800, when he sold it to Major Edward 
B. Moore, who remained its proprietor until June 1, 1878, when he 
sold it to Walter E. Hall. On April 1, 1881, Robert P. Sharpless 
became part proprietor, and it was then publislied by Walter E. 
Hall & Co. until 1884, when the West Chester Publishing Company 

was formed, which continued its publication until , when 

it was purchased by its present editors and proprietors, Messrs. 
Donath «& Temple. 

During the time this paper was conducted by George W. 
Pearce, from 1853 to 1804, the Democratic Party became divided 
in sentiment, and the paper joined itself to the Douglas Demo- 
crats, losing many subscribers in consequence. As a result of the 
changes going on in the political sentiments of the people the 
Republican and Democrat became a Republican publication in 
the modern sense of the word Republican, and so remained. 

Until July 29, 1870, this paper was a weekly publication, and 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 633 

then it became a semi-weekly, wLiioIi was coutinued until July J, 
1S7S, when it again became a weekly, and at the same time a 
daily issue was started, which has since continued. The daily 
was issued in the afternoon until November 1, 1878, since which 
time it has been issued in the morning. 

The next paper established in the county was the Chester and 
Delaware Federalist, started by Dennis ^yheleu June 8, 1809. Its 
publication was probably suggested by the fact of the publication 
of the Temperate Zone at Downingtown ; the size of this paper \\as 
ten by sixteen inches, and its establishment as a party organ led 
to the conversion of the Temperate Zone into a Democratic paper. 
The Chester and Delaware Federalist continued under the charge 
of Dennis ^^'helen until August (3, 1817, when he sold the paper to 
Charles Miner, who changed the name to the Village Record. 
January 1, 1818, but continued to use the former name of the 
■paper, Chester and Delaware Federalist, as a sub-title. He also 
enlarged his printed page to one twelve by eighteen inches. For 
a part of the year 182-1 the paper was conducted by Miner & 
Bryan, and for some time after July, 1825, Asher Miner, a brother 
of Charles, was associated with the latter in the management of 
the paper. In 1830 the paper was again enlarged, the page becom- 
ing fourteen by nineteen inches, and the sub-title And General 
Advertiser was substituted for Chester and Delaware Federalist. 
The Miner brothers conducted the paper until April 1, 1834, when 
they sold it to Henry S. Evans, and both went to Wilkesbarre, 
where Asher Miner had, previously to coming to West Chester, 
published a paper for a time, and where they both died, the latter 
in 1841, the former in 18G5. 

From April 1, 1834, until February 9, 1872, Henry S. Evans 
published the Village Record, a period of twenty-eight years, dur- 
ing which time it was, under Mr. Evans' management, the most 
influential paper in Chester County. In 1854 Mr. Evans purchased 
the Register and Examiner from John S. Bowen, and united it 



634 CHESTER COUNTY 

with the Vilhige Eecord, using the terra Register and Examiner 
as a sub-title. Mr. Evans died on February 9, 1872, and from that 
time on until 1894 the Village Record was published by his sons,. 
Barton D. and Willie D. Evans. In 1851, when the consolidation 
above mentioned was effected, the paper became a serai-weekly 
one, anrl on August 8, 1878, the sons of Mr. Evans added a daily 
to the weekly and semi-weekly editions. 

In 1891 the property passed into the hands of S. Edward Pas- 
chal], of Bucks County, the daily and semi-weekly editions being- 
then discontinued. Mr. Paschall changed the entire appearance 
of the paper by converting it into a pamphlet form of sixteen pages. 
For some time it was under the editorial management of W. W. 
AVoodruff, formerly county superintendent of common schools, and 
was devoted almost exclusively to agricultural topics, its news 
feature being made quite a secondary matter. Under its new form 
and managment, however the paper failed to thrive, and in the fall 
of 1895 Mr. Paschall disposed of his interest to H. C. Boyer, of Potts- 
vjlle, Pennsylvania, who restored it to its original form; but he did 
not long retain the proprietorship. About this time the stalwart, 
or Quay wing of the Republican Party was casting about for a rec- 
ognized organ, and in February, 1896, the Village Record was pur- 
chased by T. Lawrence Eyre, the leader of that wing of the party, 
James B. Fisher, formerly' of the morning Republican, being in- 
stalled as editor. The Record then became a vigorous champion 
of the principles of the Quay Republican organization, and during 
the following two years aided in winning three of the most notable 
battles ever fought within the Republican Party ranks in Chester 
County. 

Originally the Village Record was a supporter of the Federal- 
ist policy so long as that party existed. It then became a Whig 
publication, and when the Whig Party was disbanded and the Re- 
publican Party oi'ganized, it became an aggressive organ of the 
latter party, and while under the direction of Henry S. Evans was- 
a powerful factor in Chester County politics. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 635 

In recognitiou in part of the influeuce of Mr. T. Lawrence 
Eyre, the present publisher of the Village Record, he has been ap- 
pointed by the Federal Government Deputy Collector of Customs 
of the port of Philadelphia. 

Charles Miner was one of the prominent citizens of Chester 
County from 1817 to the time of his removal, or rather return, to 
the Wyoming Valley in 1834, and it is eminently appropriate that 
brief mention should be made of him in this work. He was born 
February 1, 1780, in Norwich, Connecticut. In 1802 he became 
associated with his brother, Asher Miner, in conducting the Fed- 
eralist in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, which they sold in 1809 to 
Steuben Butler and Sidney Tracy, who in 1811 enlarged it and 
changed its named to the Gleaner, Charles Miner becoming a few 
months afterward associated with Mr. Butler in the place of Mr. 
Tracy, and it was in the columns of the Gleaner that Mr. Miner 
made himself celebrated as a writer. 

In 1807 and 1808 and in 1816 he represented Luzerne County 
in the Legislature of the State, in the latter year taking charge of 
a paper in Philadelphia called the True American, conducting it 
one year. Removing to West Chester in 1817, he purchased the 
Chester and Delaware Federalist, the name of which he changed 
to the Village Record. He conducted it with signal ability until 
1837, when he sold it to Henry S. Evans. From March, 1825, to 
March, 1829, he was a member of Congress from the district of 
which Chester County formed a part, and in this body he took great 
interest in the subject of slavery, to which institution he was 
greatly opposed, and made efforts to have slavery and the slave 
trade in the District of Columbia abolished. 

Mr. Miner was the associate of the great men of his day, and 
he was intelligent, social and attractive, his abilities and useful- 
ness being recognized by Henry Clay, at that time Secretary of 
State, and Mr. Clay looked to Mr. Miner, nearly as much as to any 
other member of the Lower House of Congress, to carry into effect 



636 CHESTER COUNTY 

his views on the tariff, internal improYements, and the United 
States Bank. From 1834 to October 26, 1865, the date of his 
death, he continued to reside in the beautiful Wyoming Valley, 
dying at the great age of eighty-five. 

On September 25, 1833, apjieared the first number of a paper 
established in Waynesburg, now Honeybrook, by the name of the 
Wayuesburg Press and Chester, Berks and Lancaster Advertiser, 
by Henry S. Evans and William Jenkins. After the expiration 
of six months Mr. Evans purchased the Village Record, of West 
Chester, which fact has already been narrated, the management 
of the Press and Advertiser devolving upon Mr. Jenkins, who con- 
ducted it until May 28, 1834, when Mr. Evans sold his interest 
therein to Caleb H. Kinnard. Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Kinnai'd then 
removed the paper to Downingtown, where on June 10, 1834, 
started the American Spectator and People's Friend, which was 
published until April 1, 1835, Avhen it was purchased by Mr. Evans 
and merged by him into the Village Eecord. It was at this time 
that Mr. Kinnard purchased the interest of George Fisher in the 
Amei'ican Republican. 

Nathan Blackman, Jr., a native of New England, established 
in 1814 a weekly paper by the name of the Eden Star in the village 
of Edentown, in Upper Oxford Township, the first number of which 
appeared March 28 that year. The village at that time consisted 
of a store-house, a public house and the building in which the Star 
was printed, the village being owned and the tavern and store 
being kept by John Downing. At the expiration of two years the 
building in which the Star was published was accidentally burned 
down, and as there was no other building in which it could be pub- 
lished it was removed to Eussellville, about one mile away, and 
was there published for some time longer under the name of the 
American Star. Soon after this it was discontinued, and the pub- 
lisher took Horace Greeley's advice and went to the West. 

On August 29, 1827, the first number of the Independent Jour- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 637 

nal appeared, published in Downingtown by Dr. George A. Fair- 
lamb and George Plitt. It was a Democratic paper of the Jack- 
sonian kind, and from the first advocated the election to the Presi- 
dency of Andrew Jackson. In addition to being a Jackson paper 
it advocated the noniiuatiou of George Wolf for the governorship 
of Pennsylvania, another portion of the Democi'atic party being 
in favor of the nomination of General Isaac D. Barnard, a citizen 
of Chester County. After a very bitter contest two sets of dele- 
gates were sent to tlie convention from Chester County, those in 
favor of Mr. Wolf being admitted, and this determined the nomi- 
nation of Mr. Wolf. Had those in favor of General Barnard been 
admitted to seats in the convention he would have been nominated 
by a majority of one vote, and would have been elected Governor 
of the State. 

Dr. Fairlamb died April 10, 1829, and the Independent Journal 
was then conducted by George Plitt until April 13, 1830, when he 
sold out to George Fisher and George W. Crabb, the latter gentle- 
man having for some time been associated with Mr. Plitt in the 
editorship. Discontinuing the Indei)endent Journal, Fisher & 
Crabb established in its stead the Chester County Democrat, the 
first number appearing April 20, 1830. In 1831 Mr. Fisher pur- 
chased the interest of his partner, Crabb, continued the publica- 
tion of the paper until 1832, Avhen he removed it to West Chester, 
and there, on January 29, 1833, it was united with the American 
Eepublican, as has been stated earlier in this chapter. 

The Literary Casket and General Intelligencer was started 
at Yellow Springs, now Chester Springs, in March, 1829, by Alex- 
ander Marshall and Nathan Siegfried. After a few months Mr. 
Siegfried retired, Mr. Marshall becoming sole proprietor. This 
paper was published in the Washington House, a building erected 
for a hospital during the Kevolutionary War. This paper let poli- 
tics entirely alone, confining itself exclusively to the literary field, 
and many of the first essays of young writers of Chester County 



63S CHESTER COUNTY 

appeared in its columns. In February, 1830, this paper was sold 
to Morris Mattson and Oheyney Hannum, who removed it to West 
Chester. Soon afterward Mr. Mattson sold his interest to James 
A. Hemphill, and the firm of Hannum & Hemphill conducted it 
until the fall of 1830, when it was merged into the National Re- 
publican Advocate and Literary Gazette, a new weekly paper es- 
tablished at West Chester by them for the purpose of advocating 
the principles of the National Republican Party as against the 
Democratic Party, the first number of this paper appearing No- 
vember 30, 1830. 

Hannum & Hemphill published the Advocate until April 3, 
1832, when the former sold his interest to John Hickman and Wil- 
liam Whitehead, and the paper was then published by the firm of 
Hannum, Hickman & Co. until July 31, 1832, when John T, Denny 
and William Whitehead became editors and proprietors, Mr. 
Denny retiring June 18, 1833, he was succeeded by John Bicking, 
the firm then being Bicking & Whitehead until April 8,, 1834, when 
the paper was sold to a company of gentlemen who were in favor 
of the supremacy of the Whig Party, then beginning to attract 
attention. 

The name National Republican Advocate was dropped and 
that of Whig substituted, the first number of the Whig appearing 
April 15, 1831, and it was ostensibly edited by Simeon Siegfried, 
formerly one of the proprietors of the American Republican; but 
the editorial matter was furnished by such prominent gentlemen 
as Dr. William Darlington, William H. Dillingham, Townsend 
Haines and William Williamson. The motto of this paper was 
"True to the principles of '76." Previous to taking edit'oriaj 
charge of the Whig, Mr. Siegfried had always been a Democrat, 
but as he differed from General Jackson on the subject of the 
National Bank, he was willing to publish a paper which advocated 
the continuance of the National Bank, as the Whigs very gen- 
erally, if not universally did. He remained with the Whig until 
May, 1835. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 639 

But Mr. Siegfried was in principle a democrat, and when it was 
suggested to liim that he should discontinue the Whig, he readily 
consented to do so, especially as it was not self-supporting, there 
being two other i)apers in the county of the same political pro- 
clivities, lie therefore removed the Whig establishment to Down- 
ingtown and there in May of that year established the Republican 
Standard and Democratic Journal, w^hich advocated the election 
to the governorship of George Wolf, who had then served as 
Governor six years, and who was opposed by Henry A. Muhlenberg, 
another Democratic candidate, and by Joseph Ritner, the Whig 
candidate, the latter of whom was elected through the division 
in the ranks of the Democratic party. This paper was published 
by George W. Mason »& Company, Mr. Siegfried being the "com- 
pany," and it was edited by Nimrod Strickland and others. ,Upon 
the election of Mr. Ritner, the publication of the paper ceased, and 
Mr. Mason removed to Elmira, New York, where he for some years 
published the Elmira Gazette with gratifying success. The next 
year after the election of Mr. Ritner to the Governorship of Penn- 
sylvania, Martin Van Buren was elected to the presidency of the 
United States, and the divisions in the Democratic party were 
healed. 

Simeon Siegfried in September, 1831, began the publication 
in West Chester of the Temperance Advocate, conducting it in 
West Chester until May, 1835, when he removed it to Downingtown, 
continuing it there until September, following, when it was merged 
into the Philanthropist, a paper published in Philadelphia. 

The General Advertiser and Journal of the Times was started 
March 1, 1836, by William Jenkins, whose name has been mentioned 
in connection with the publication of earlier newspapers in Chester 
County. After two years this paper was discontinued, and the 
materials of the ofiice were purchased by John S. Bowen and 
Benjamin I. Miller, who in May, 1S38 started the Coatesville Star, 
which was published in the interest of those who favored a 

37 



640 CHESTER COUXTY 

distinct organization for the Whig Party. Mr. Bowen was the 
editor of this paper. At the expiration of about one year this 
paper was removed to West Chester and the name changed to the 
American Star, with George Shidell, formerly foreman in the office, 
as editor and proprietor. In June, 1839, Townsend Haines be- 
came its owner and editor and published it in an office which 
stood where the First National Bank of West Chester now stands. 
The party sustained by the American Star formed an independent 
Whig ticket in the autumn of the last-mentioned year, forming 
their ticket on Monday, the other Whig Party being made 
up of Whigs and Anti-Masons, forming theirs on Tuesday. 
One of these wings of the Whig Party was called the "Mon- 
day'' Whigs and the other the "Tuesday" Whigs, and the 
result of their running separate tickets was that the Demo- 
crats carried the county. The American Star was published 
until August 23, 1841, when everything connected with it was 
sold to Asher M. Wright and Alfred J. Creyou, who discontinued 
the Star was established the Independent Journal and Working- 
men's Advocate, the first number of which appeared August 31, 
1841. This was considered a new series of the Independent Journal 
published in Downingtown, which has alreadj^ been mentioned. 
As a neutral in jjolitics it was soon found that it could not succeed, 
and hence on October 4, 1842, it was discontinued, and the Jef- 
fersonian established in its stead, which was devoted to the 
interests of the Democratic Party. 

On October 3, 1843, after a suspension of five months, the 
Jeffersonian was united with the West Chester Herald, which first 
appeared on September 5, 1843, and the consolidated paper was 
named the JeiTersonian and Democratic Herald, the latter name 
being used as a subtitle. It was published by John Hodgson and 
Asher M. Wright until February, 1845, when Mr. Wright retired 
and Mr. Hodgson became the sole proprietor, and so remained until 
ISGG, when he was succeeded by his son, William H. Hodgson, who 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 641 

still owns and publishes it, though in changed and enlarged form. 
For several rears the Jeffersonian was published in the basement 
of the building east of the Mansion House, whence it was removed 
about the year 1860 tO' the west side of South High street, and 
where it still remains. 

The Anti-Masonic Eegister was established in West Chester 
October 1, 1829, by Joseph Painter, and the Anti-Masonic Examiner 
was started in Coatesville about the same time by Dr. John D. 
Perkins. As there was not sulficient support for two Anti-Masonic 
papers in the county, Joseph Painter, in 1831, purchased the Ex- 
aminer, united it with the Eegister, under the name of the Anti- 
Masonic Eegister and Chester County Examiner, and in January, 
1836, when the Anti-Ma,sonic Party united with the Whigs, 
Mr. Painter dropped the "Anti-Masonic" from the title of his paper, 
and published it under the name of the Eegister and Examiner 
until January 1, 1851, when he sold it to John S. Bowen and 
James M. Meredith, who enlarged it and improved it, and sold it 
in 1854 to Henry S. Evans, who published it a short time under 
its old name, under the firm name of William Baker & Co., 
but it soon became absorbed into the Village Eecord, which then 
became a semi-weekly paper under the name of the Village Eecord 
and Eegister and Examiner, the latter part of the title, however, 
being soon discontinued. 

The Pennsylvania Farm Journal was published for some time 
by John S. Bowen and James M. Meredith, but upon the dissolution 
of their partnership Mr. Bowen became proj^rietor of the Eegister 
and Examiner and Mr. Meredith of the Pennsylvania Farm Journal. 
Later Mr. Meredith removed his paper to Philadelphia, where for 
some time he continued its publication. 

On January 1, 1854, Henry Bosee began the publication of the 
Independent Herald in West Chester. One yeal* afterAvard he sold 
it to Lewis Marshall, who conducted it from January 1, 1855, to 



642 CHESTER COUXTY 

May 1, 1856, when he sohl it to William L. and Edwin F. James, 
who then published it until February 6, 1857, under the title In- 
dependent Herald and Free American. At the date last men- 
tioned they disposed of it to Samuel E. Downing and John J. Pink- 
erton, who conducted it under the same name until April 25, 1857, 
when they changed it to Chester County Times. Mr. Pinkerton 
retired from the paper March 20, 1858, Mr. Downing then becoming- 
sole proprietor, and on August 1, 1858, Mr. E. W. Capron becoming 
editor. On July 9, 1861, the paper, which had previously been a 
weekly, became a semi-weekly under the name of the Chester 
County Semi- Weekly Times. January 1, 1863, the Times was sold 
by Mr. Downing to George W. Pearce, who consolidated it with 
the American Eepublican, which he was then publishing, started in 
Coatesville about 1836. 

A paper was established in Coatesville about 1836 called the 
Colonization Herald, for the purpose of sustaining the cause of 
the colonization of the negro as against the doctrine of the aboli- 
tion of slavery, the publisher being named Walton; but only a few 
numbers of the paper were issued. 

In December of this year a paper was started by Jason M. Ma- 
hau in Sadsbury Township, Mr. Mahan being interested in the silk 
culture, the name of his paper being the Silk-Growers' Instructor 
and the Farmer's Friend; but as knowledge on the culture of silk 
did not seem to manifest itself, the paper did not have an extended 
career. It was in the form of a sixteen-page octavo pamphlet, and 
was issued monthly as long as it lasted. 

For about six months during the year 1839 a temperance paper 
was published at the oflice of the Register and Examiner, under 
the editorial supervision of Cyrus P. Painter and others, but it had 
too little support to be continued. 

Another temperance paper, called the Crystal Fountain, was 
started in 1817 by Caleb N. Thornbury, and was continued about 
one year. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 643 

Sanmel Moses aud Jobu Lewis began the publication in 
Plioeuixville of the Phoenix Gazette, the first number appearing 
October G, 1846. After a short time Mr. Moses withdrew, selling 
his interest to Benjamin P. Davis. On December 29, 1846, Mr. 
Lewis and Mr. Davis sold their paper to Bayard Taylor and Fred- 
erick E. Foster, they changing the name to the Phoenixville Pio- 
neer. This venture not being pecuniarily satisfactory, Mr. Taylor 
withdrew from it on January 4, 1848, and became assistant editor 
of the New York Tribune, from which time to February 21, 1849, 
the Pioneer was published by Mr. Foster, in conjunction with S. L. 
Hughes, the latter date being that of its last number. 

The Phoenix Ledger was then published for a short time by 
Messrs. Hughes «& Greene, but it ceased to exist in 1850. During 
the same two years, 1849 and 1850, the Iron Man was published, 
but ceased to exist about the same time with the Ledger. With 
the Iron Man a poet, A. .J. H. Duganne, was associated. Mr. Du- 
gaune was the author of a notable patriotic poem entitled "Bethel," 
beginning with the line: "We mustered at midnight, in darkness 
we formed," aud contained the following stanza: 

"When our heroes, like bridegrooms, with lips and with breath, 
Drank the first kiss of Danger and clasped her in death. 
And the heart of brave Winthrop grew mute with his lyre, 
When the plumes of his genius lay molting in fire — 
"Column ! Forward !"' 

John Royer and his son, John 11., on April 4, 1857, issued the 
first number of the Weekly Phtpnix, which name they changed to 
the Phoenix, and later to the Independent Phoenix. This paper 
in 1871 became the property of Vosburg N. Shaffer, who changed 
the name to that of the Pho?nixville Independent, and also pub- 
lished a daily edition called the Daily Independent. 

Col. J. H. Puleston started the Pennsylvania Guardian in 1860, 
but discontinued it on being appointed by Governor Curtin State 
agent for Pennsylvania at Washington, District of Columbia. 



644 CUE^TER COUNTY 

Marshall is credited with the discovery of gold in California 
in ISil, and the semi-centennial of this supposed discovery was 
celebrated in 1897. But the first number of the Phoenisville Ga- 
zette, published October 6, 1846, contains the following paragraph, 
which shows that history needs correction in regard to this matter: 

"A correspondent writing from Upper California says: 'Near 
the Town of the Angels is a large sandy plain at the foot of some 
mountains, in which they have discovered quantities of gold. A 
comuKjn laborer can gather to the amount of |2 per day. The plan 
of getting the ore is to wash the sand in a flat basket. They have 
introduced ounce currency of the metal.' " 

Col. J. H. Puleston, formerly a resident of Phcenixville, was 
born in Wales, coming to the United States m 1857, and establish- 
ing himself in New York as a physician among the Welsh. The 
story is that in this occupation he failed, and that, making the ac- 
quaintance of Horace Greeley, he was sent by the latter gentleman 
to the Wyoming Valley during the campaign of 1858 to speak to 
the Welsh of that region in favor of the Republican candidates. 
Colonel Puleston was interested in the first charter granted to a 
street railway company in Pennsylvania. 

In 1800 he went to Pho^nixville and there started the Pennsyl- 
vania Guardian, ran it through the campaign in favor of Gen. 
John C. Fremont for President of the United States, dropping the 
publication of the paper at the close of the campaign. In Febru- 
ary, 1801, Colonel Puleston was in Washington, and was made 
assistant secretary of the famous Peace Convention, presided over 
by ex-President John Tyler, and when the secretary of the conven- 
tion, S. C. Wright, was compelled to return to his home on account 
of serious illness in his family. Colonel Puleston became secretary 
of the convention. Later he was made agent for the Pennsylva- 
nia troops at Washington, with the rank of colonel. Still later he 
studied law and practiced in the courts of the District of Columbia. 



AXJ) /7',S PEOPLE. 645 

Afterward he became a member of the banking firm of Hugh Mc- 
Cullough «& Co., of Xew York City, and was sent to London, En- 
gland, as the representative of that company. He was then elected 
a member of Parliament for Plymouth, and, running again for the 
same position as the candidate for a constituency in Wales, was 
defeated. Subsequently he was knighted by Her Majesty, Queen 
Victoria, and is now Sir John H. Puleston, a member of the House 
of Lords. ' 

Wilmer W. Thomson on October 17, 1868, began the publica- 
tion in Phcenixville of an advertising sheet entitled Everybody's 
Business, continuing it as a weekly three months, and on January 
23, 1869, Mr. Thomson began the publication of another advertising 
sheet called the Legal Tender, which on August 21, 1869, became a 
regular subscription weekly publication, published by Pi'ice Sc 
Thomson. 

John Pawling in 1870 published one niimber of a paper called 
the Phcenixville EeiDublican. 

David Euen and Hadley Lamborn in January, 1871, began the 
publication of the Messenger, which in January, 1873, became the 
property of John O. K. Robarts. Mr. Eobarts changed the name 
to the Phcenixville Messenger, and has since continued to conduct 
it. Mr. Eobarts was born in Plymouth, England, in 1835; came to 
the Ignited States in 1850, landing in New York. After residing in 
Keading, Pennsylvania, five years he removed to Phcenixville, 
■Chester County, and has since then been a continuous resident of 
that place. 

The Downiugtown Archive was established in 1872 by Potter 
& Cordery, from Xew York, as a weekly ijublication, and in Decem- 
ber, 1874, it was purchased by its present proprietor and editor, 
Harry L. Skeen. At first it was a six-column paper; was soon en- 
larged to a seven-column, and is now an eight-column paper, pub- 
lished weekly, and advocating the legal prohibition of the liquor 
traffic. In other matters it is independent. 



646 CHESTER couxrr 

The Cliestei" County Journal was established at Downingtown 
by a company at the head of which was Joshua Karnes, the Journal 
being managed by Joseph Pepi^er, who on August 29, 1868, became 
the proprietor. Later it was owned by Potter & Cordery; was for 
some time managed by W. H. Hineline, and still later by William 
S. Kames, and, though a large and well-edited paper, it proved 
unprofitable, and its publication was discontinued in 1873. 

Henry S. Evans, under the direction of the Chester County 
and Delaware County Medical Societies, published at West Chester 
the Medical Eeporter, a quarterly journal, from July, 1853, until 
some time in 185G. It was a thirty-two-page octavo, of suitable 
size for binding, and contained matter of interest to the medical 
profession. 

The Children's Friend, a monthly juvenile magazine, was 
commenced in May, 1866, by Mrs. Esther K. Smedley, wife of Dr. 
K. C. Smedley, at the request of some of the members of the So- 
ciety of Friends. It was an illustrated octavo of twenty-four 
pages at first, but afterward was twice increased, both as to the 
size of its page and the number of its pages. In 1872, owing to fail- 
ing health, Mrs. Smedley sold the magazine to her sister, Mrs. 
Anna F. Bradley, of Coatesville, who continued its publication 
until November, 1879, when it was sold to Mary Y. Hough, of Phil- 
adelphia, who continued its publication there. 

Lydia H. Hall, who for a short time assisted Mrs. Dr. Smedley 
in the publication of the Children's Friend, began the publication 
of an illustrated monthly called Scattered Seeds, which was de- 
signed for the use of children and was circulated largely in schools. 
In 1881 its circulation had reached 5,700 copies, indicating an ex- 
ceiitional popularity. Though edited by a Friend, it was strictly 
non-sectarian, and was welcome in all families. 

In September, 1880, The Student was established in connection 
with the Haverford College and the Westtown Friends' Boarding 
School. It was an octavo of twenty-four pages, and was edited by 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 647 

Isaac Sharpless, a professor iu Hiiverford College, and by Watson 
W. Dewees, a teacher in the Boarding School. 

The first number of the Chester County Reporter appeared 
April 6, 1880. It was a weekly legal journal devoted to the publi- 
cation of the proceedings and decisions of the Chester County bar, 
and for some time was edited by James Monaghan, of the West 
Chester bar. 

The Oxford Press was established iu Oxford February 14, 
1866, by Henry L. Brinton. January 1, 1870, he sold a half interest 
to George D. Hayes, and it was published until the next year by 
tlie firm of Brinton iSc Hayes. Then Mr. Brinton sold the other half 
interest to E. Howard Kollins, the name of the firm becoming 
George D. Hayes & Co. Mr. Eollins, on September 1, 1875, sold his 
interest to John I. Moore and 1». Frank Cochran, the firm name re- 
maining the same, and in March, 1876, they sold their half to Henry 
L. Brinton, who had been engaged in editing the i^aper since the 
fall of 1872, the firm name of the proprietors then becoming Hayes 
& Brinton. This paper has a,lways maintained a high moral tone, 
and has been well supported. January 1, 1892, Mi*. Brinton and 
his sons, Douglas E. and William G., purchased Mr. Hayes' inter- 
est, and since then the paper has been owned and published by 
them under the name of H. L. Bi"inton & Sons. It is a weekly 
paper, in form half folio and half quarto, the subscription price 
being $1.50 per year, and holds the leading place among the weekly 
papers of the county. 

In October, 1871, Franklin P. T 'Wvre started a monthly jour- 
nal under the name of the Fai*mers''Club, which was devoted to 
agriculture, and which he published about three years. 

George C. Stroman & Co. published a weekly paper called the 
Oxford Kepublican from March 28, 1874, to July 25, 1874. 

The Keuuett Square Free Press was established July 21, 1855, 
by B. F. Coles, at Kennett Square, the first paper published iu the 
place. The paper was devoted to literature and local nev/s. The 



648 CHESTER COUNTY 

first number coDtained a poem by Bayard Taylor, sketches of Scan- 
dinavia, and translations from Hans Christian Andersen by Bar- 
clay Pennock. Dr. Franklin Tayor was its editor, and the paper 
Avas well printed, as well as being conducted with exceptional abil- 
ity. October 16, 1855, D. J. Godshalk became associated with Mr. 
Coles, they continuing its publication for about three years. 

The Weekly Leader was published at Kenuett Square by 
H. M. Worth & Co., the first number appearing January 11, 1871, 
SAvithin C. Shortlidge as editor. In July, 1872, it was enlarged 
from a seven-column to a nine-column folio, and was published by 
the "Leader Association," semi-weekly, one edition at Kennett 
Square on Saturday morning, the other edition at Oxford on 
"Wednesday morning, the edition published at Oxford being called 
the Oxford Leader, that published at Kennett Square being called 
the Kennett Leader. The first number of the Oxford Leader ap- 
peared March 20, 1872. This journal was Eepublican in politics 
until the Presidential campaign of 1872, when it supported Horace 
Greeley for the Presidency. When the panic of 1873 came on the 
Leader Association became financially embarrassed, and the paper 
was suspended in February of the latter year. The Kennett 
Leader was revived by William W. Polk in April following, and 
was conducted by him until July, when he abandoned its publica- 
tion. 

The next paper to be published in Kennett Square was the 
Kennett News and Advertiser, started in January, 1877, by Theo- 
dore D. Iladley and J. Frank Holton, the latter of whom withdrew 
on July 1 of the same year. Mr. Uadley, thus becoming sole pro- 
prietor, enlarged it to a seven-column folio, twenty-four by thirty- 
eight inches, and continued its publication until January 1, 1891, 
when his sou, Charles C. Hadley, who had been in the office ever 
since it was started, became publisher and editor, as he still con- 
tinues. This paper has been published in the same place since 
1880, in Swayue Bl-ock, on State Street, near Union Street. In 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 649 

politics tlie paper is neutral, and is mainly devoted to local news. 
It is now an eight-column folio, 20x44, and is printed on a cylinder 
press by hand. Its circulation in 1,400, and the subscription is |1 
per year. ' 

The Chester County Democrat was established in West Ches- 
ter September 11, 1879, the second paper of the name published in 
the county. For some time it was published by J. Henry Long & 
Company, the "company" being George E. Guss. In September, 
1880, Mr. Guss purchased the interest of Mr. Long, and was there- 
after sole proprietor until the time of his death, which occurred 
January 24, 1897. As the name of the paper indicates, it was pub- 
lished in the interest of the Democratic Party, and after the death 
of Captain Guss its publication was discontinued. 

Captain George E. Guss was a son of Colonel Henry E. Guss, 
and during General Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania raised an in- 
dependent battery, securing his men in and around West Chester, 
commanded it in the service of the United States from July 1 to 
August 24, 1863, when it was discharged. He also was captain 
of a section of the Grifiin Battery of Phoenixville, which performed 
good service in connection with the Pittsburg riots in 1877. 

Edward E. Orvis commenced the publication at Kew London 
in March, 1853, of the Day Spring, a weekly paper devoted to gen- 
eral news, literature and temperance. John Larkin soon after- 
ward became associated with Mr. Orvis, they publishing the paper 
nntil October 29, 1853, when they sold it to Pearsol & Geist, of the 
Saturday Express, a temperance paper ijublished in Lancaster. 

From 1853 to 1856 Mr. Orvis, who was a minister or elder of 
the Christian Church, conducted at New London the Christian 
Union and Eeligious Eeview, a monthly periodical of thirty-two 
pages, devoted to the interests of the religious denomination to 
which he belonged. Mr. Orvis had charge of a congregation of 
Christians near New London. 

Mr. Larkin in December, 1855, purchased the printing office 



6 so CHESTER COUNTY 

and materials that had been used by Bayard Taylor and Frederick 
E. Foster when they were publishing the Phoenixville Pioneer, and 
carried on a job printing office in Phoenixville until 1856, when he 
removed his outfit to East Brandywine and there carried on job 
printing until May, 1870. 

In 1870 Mr. V. N. Shaffer purchased the Independent Phceuix 
and changed the title to Pha?nixville Independent, and on Jan- 
uary 3, 1881, he began the publication of the Daily Independent, 
the first daily paper published iu Ph(euixville. Later he sold 
the Dail}^ Independent to E. P. Sharpless, who changed the title 
to The Star. In 1888 Mr. Shaffer sold the Phoenixville Independ- 
ent to the Phoeuixville Kepublican Company, the name of the 
paper being again changed to suit the corporation name. The 
Star having ceased to exist the Daily Eepublican took its place. 
In 1890 the weekly edition of was discontinued aud the daily 
became the paper of Phoenixville. 

The Daily Republican was purchased December 1, 1893, by 
John H. Miller and Mark F. Sullivan, who are still the proprietors. 
It is now a seven column folio, the columns being twenty-two 
inches loug. In politics it is Kepublican, and is devoted to liter- 
ature and local news. It is the only dailj^ paper in Chester County 
outside of West Chester. It has a circulation of about 3,000 
copies, aud the subscription price is $3 per year. While Mr. 
Sullivan is at the present time the nominal editor of the paper, 
yet the editorial work is being done by H. C. Gillingham, during 
the absence of Mr. Sullivan in college. Mr. (iilliugham was born 
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1858, became a Pres- 
byterian minister, aud preached for churches in Wisconsin, Iowa 
aud California from 1884 to 1891, aud in 1896 became editor of the 
Daily Republican, a position he still retains. Mr. Miller is the bus- 
iness manager. This paper has connected with it one of the finest 
job offices to be anywhere fouud, all kinds of job work being done, 
even to half-tone printing. There are employed on this pajjer aud 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 651 

in the job office twenty people, thirteen of the compositors being 
girls. 

The Chester Valley Union was established in Coatesville, 
June 6, 1863, by William J. and J. C. Kauffman. It was a four 
page, six column weekly paper, and was printed on an old fash- 
ioned Washington hand-press. The above-named gentlemen were 
editors and proprietors until September, 180G, when the latter 
sold his interest in the paper to John P. Brooke, the firm name 
then becoming Kauffman & Brooke, and one year later Mr. Kauff- 
man purchased Mr. Brooke's interest, thus becoming sole pro- 
prietor, which he still remains. 

The Coatesville Weekly' Times was established in 1ST9 by Wil- 
liam E. Ash, then an attorney-at-law in Coatesville. The paper 
was begun as a four-page, six-column sheet, and has been enlarged 
from time to time until at the present time it is an eight-column 
paper. Mr. Ash was soon ottered a position on the Philadelphia 
IS'orth American, and sold his paper to Clarence F. Jenkins, who 
conducted it until 1882, when he sold it to Joseph F. Perdue, who 
wa.s then practicing at the West Chester bar. On February 18, 
1881, Mr. Perdue sold the Times to E. H. Graves, of Uniontowu, 
Pennsylvania, who also purchased the printing office from A. H. 
Potts & Co., of Parkesburg, and engaged F. L. Campbell as local 
editor. Mr. Graves remained sole proprietor of the paper until 
December 1, 1890, when, on account of having been appointed 
post master of Coatesville, he sold a half interest to D. H. Weaver, 
the firm name bC'C-oming Graves & Wea^ver, which continued 
until May 1, 1891, when F. L. Campbell pui'chased a one-third 
interest, and the business was then carried on under the firm name 
of E. H. Graves & Co. 

William W. Polk and William H. Phillips, the former being 
the editor, established the Kennett Advance, a weekly paper, 
the first number coming out August 4, 1877. It is especially 
devoted to the publication of home news, is Eepublican in politics, 



652 CHESTER COUNTY 

and in size is twenty-four by thirty-eiglit inches. Mr. Phillips, 
on June 1, 1878, sold his interest to Mr. Polk, who has since been 
sole proprietor, and who soon after enlarged the paper from seven 
to an eight-column folio, and continues its publication until the 
present time. During the year 1897 the Advance was published 
every other day, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but was 
returned to a weekly in January 1898. 

The Eural Economist was started in West Chester April 1, 

1861, by Dr. Edmund C Evans, who published it until April 1^ 

1862, as a monthly of thirty-two pages. It was devoted to rural 
affairs, horticulture and agriculture. It lasted only one year. 

Nelson P. Boyer & Co. in September, 1801, founded at Gum 
Tree in Highland Township, the American Stock Journal, a thirty- 
two page octavo monthly. The office was removed to Parkesburg 
in 1868, where the publication of the Journal was continued until 
June, 1871, Avhen it was taken possession of by the American 
Stock Journal Company, and published by them under the manage- 
ment of Eobert A. Young, until January, 1875, when it was pur- 
chased by Potts Brothers. Suspended by them until October of 
that year, it was then revived and published until December, 1878, 
when its publication ceased altogether. 

Robert A. Young in 1874 established the Parkesburg Herald, 
published it one year and then sold out to A. H. Potts & Co., who 
changed the name -to the Chester County Times, under which title, 
as a four-page, eight column weekly, tliey continued its publication. 

The first number of the Local News was issued November 
19, 1872. At the head of its cohimns it had the name of W. H. 
Hodgson, proprietor, and that of W. W. Thomson, editor. Those 
names have remained there ever since, a period of nearly twenty- 
six years. At first the paper was a four-column folio, the size of 
each page being 12^x83 inches.. Preceding and leading up to 
the establishment of this little daily was the publication of a 
programme of the Teachers' Institute held in West Chester from 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 653 

Xovember 11 to 15, iuclusive, Monday to Friday, 1872, this pro- 
gramme being a neatly printed four-page slieet, tlie first page of 
which was devoted to the programme of the Institute for the day, 
and the other three pages being given up to the proceedings of the 
previous day, to local and general news and to advertisements. 

Learning that the business men of West Chester would miss 
the visits of the little sheet, the editor suggested to the proprie- 
tor the establishment of a daily, which was at once determined 
tipon, and on vSaturday morning and on Monday morning, the 
16th and ISth of the month, the Local News was distributed gra- 
tuitotisly throtighout the city. On Ttiesday morning, the 19th, 
carriers were put on the streets. ProsiJerity appearing to dawn, 
the paper was enlarged February 3, 1873, by the addition of a 
column to each page, the page itself being correspondingly length- 
ened, so that each page was after this first enlargement 15x11 
inches in size. By June the paper had eiglit hundred subscribers. 
At this time the machinery in the office consisted of a small 
vertical engine and a good Campbell press. At the time of the 
murder of W. S. Goss by L'dderzook the subscription list suddenly 
sprung up to 5,600 names, which number, however, died down 
to about half when the law had been vindicated by the ptmish- 
ment of the mtirderer. November 19, 1873, the paper was again 
enlarged to a page seventeen inches long, and on June 20, 1874, 
one of Hoe's three-revolution presses was put in, at a cost of 
|3,500, and a short time afterward a ten-horse power engine was 
set up with which to run the new press. Another enlargement 
was deemed necessary May 1, 1876, each page being then made 
18^x13 inches, which enlargement was not justified by immediate 
events, was yet maintained. October 8, 1878, still another en- 
largement was made, each page being 194x13 inches, and on Oc- 
tober 23, 1886, each page was made 21x13 inches. This enlarge- 
ment rendered it necessary to put in another press, and one of 
Hoe's Type-Web Perfection presses was purchased at a cost of 



654 CHESTER COUNTY 

116,000. This uew press had a capacitj- of 12,000 per hour, each 
paper being neatlj' printed and fokled, which fact was a marvel 
to contemplate. But even this fast press was deficient in capacity 
by the fall of 1895, and in December of that year one of Hoe's 
fast perfecting presses was purchased at a cost of .|25,000, includ- 
ing four of the celebrated Mergenthaler Linotypes, or type-setting- 
machines, and a complete stereotyping outfit. About the same 
time the reporters began to use type-writers in the preparation 
of their copy, which greatly facilitates the labor of the linotype 
operator. At the present time the office of the Local News is 
probably as well equipped as any newspaper office in any inland 
town in the State, if not in the country. The circulation at the 
present time is about 13,000 in Chester and adjoining counties, 
and it is mainly devoted to local news, although there appears 
each day a generous amount of general news. 

Mr. Hodgson and Mr. Thomson have been respectively pro- 
prietor and editor ever since the first number was issued, and 
the present business manager, John G. Moses, has been at his 
post since 1880. The foreman in the composing room, Walter 
Clark, has been with the paper now twenty years, and the press- 
man and engineer for a period of more than thirteen years. 

The Local News is independent in politics and aims to treat 
all jjarties with that impartiality that leads to correct opinions 
and views on the part of its readers. 

On April 19, 1898, a number of leading Democrats of Chester 
County held at a meeting at the Green Tree Hotel to plan for the 
founding of a new paper, which should be the organ of the Demo- 
cratic party in the county. Editor P. Gray Meek, of the Belle- 
fonte Watchman, made a proposition to the Democrats of the 
county to the effect that if they would insure him a subscription 
list of 2,000, he would start a paper in West Chester, conducting 
it as his own enterjjrise, but in the interest of the Democrats of 
Chester County. The proposition was generally favored, and the 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 655 

county chairman, John Cavanaugh, was instructed to issue a let- 
ter to the various county committeemen and other prominent 
Democrats, asking them to solicit subscriptions for the proposed 
paper, and to secure aid from all the Democrats possible. 

Among those who were present at the meeting and who 
promised their aid to tlie enterprise were the following: Bur- 
gess William H. Bitting, Phoenixville ; Harry B. Schofield, Paoli; 
J. Harry Hoskins, Paoli; Joshua E. Hibberd, Malvern; Theodore 
Bye, Franklin; Thomas Kettew, Nantmeal; John Ecker, North 
Coventry; Thomas Eettew, Brandy wine; Jury Commissioner Jesse 
B. Eamstine, Upper Uwchlan; Wayne L. Battin, Pocopson; Dan- 
iel Slieeliau, New Garden; Plari'y C. Hall, West Bradford; Pat- 
rick McCormick, Darlington's Corner. 

This project has not, however, up to July 1, 1898, been re- 
alized. 

The West Grove and Chester County Mirror, published at 
West Grove, was started there by Morris Lloyd in 1884. It is 
a four-page paper, 24x36 inches, is independent in politics, and 
mainly devoted to local affairs. The circulation at the present 
time is 1,000, and the subsciiption price, |1 per year. 

The Avondale Herald was established in 1891, and was a 
very small paper at first. In 189G it became the property of 
Charles C. Hadley, and was then, and is now, managed by Charles 
W. Pierson. It is a seven-column folio, and is devoted to local 
news, is neutral in politics, has a circulation of 800, and the sub- 
scription price is |1 per year. The Kennett News and Advertiser 
was established January 1, 1877, by Hadley & Holton, Thomas 
D. Hadley and J. Frank Holton. The latter retired from the 
paper at the end of six months; and from that time on Mr. Hadley 
has been sole proprietor. He continued its publication until 
January 1, 1891, at which time his son, Charles C. Hadley, who 
had bieen connected witb the office from the beginning, took 
charge as publisher and editor. Since 1880 it has been pub- 

38 



656 CHESTER COUNTY 

lishecl in the Swayne Block, on State Street, near Union. In poli- 
tics it is neutral, and is devoted exclusively to local news. It i.s 
an eio-ht-column f(dio, 20x44, and is printed on a cylinder press 
by hand. It has a circulation of 1,400 copies, and the subscrip- 
tion price is |1 per year. 

LITERATURE IN CHESTER COUNTY. 

In what is said under this head it will not be expected that 
an exhaustive review of the writings of Chester County people 
can be attempted, for the reason that the county has been so 
prolific in authors of merit that any such attempt, if made in 
good faith, would require a volume of itself. All that can be 
done, therefore, is to present the names of most of the authors, 
with the titles of their respective works. 

Caleb Pusey was one of the prominent settlers in the earliest 
history of the county, was a Quaker, and wrote much in defense 
of the doctrine of his sect or denomination, but more particularly 
in contravention of the doctrines of George Keith. The principal 
works of Caleb Pusey were as follows: 

1. A Serious and Seasonable Warning Unto All People Occa- 
sioned by Two Most Dangerous Epistles to a. Late Book of John 
Falldoe's, subscribed by Eichard Baxter and others, printed in 
1675. 

2. A Modest Account from Pennsylvania of the Principal 
Differences in Point of Doctrine Between George Keith and those 
of the People Called Quakers, etc., printed in 1G9G. 

3. Satan's Harbinger Encountered, etc., printed in 1700. 

4. Daniel Leeds Justly Rebuked for Abusing William Penn, 
etc., printed in 1702. 

5. Proteus Ecclesiasticus, or George Keith Varied in Funda- 
mentalls, etc., printed in 1704. 

G. George Keith Once More Brought to the Test, and Proved 
a Prevaricator, etc., printed in Philadelphia about the same time. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 657 

7. The Bomb Searched and Found Stuffed with False Ingre- 
dients, etc., printed in 1705. 

Eev. David Evans, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in 
Tredyffriu Township, known as the Great Valley Church, was 
the author of a work called: "Law and Gospel," in which he 
attempted to show that man is ruined by the Law and recovered 
by the Gospel. 

Rev. Samuel Blair wrote numeroiis sermons on religious sub- 
jects, which he collected and published. Rev. John Blair, brother 
of the above, wrote three works, all on religious subjects. 

John Churchman published "An Account of the Gospel La- 
bours and Christian Experiences of a Faithful Minister of Christ." 

John Churchman, grandson of the preceding, published a 
Map of the Peninsula between the Bays of Delaware and Chesa- 
peake, etc., and 

The Magnetic Atlas or Variation Chart of the Whole Terra- 
queous Globe, the object of which was to determine with greater 
accuracy the longitude. 

Humphrey Marshall published two works of merit, one enti- 
tled Arbutum Americanum, and Alphabetical Catalogue of Forest 
Trees and Shrubs, and the other called Observations on Botany, as 
Applicable to Rural Economics, etc. Humphrey Marshall was 
one of the earliest botanists of Chester County. 

James Ross, A. M., LL. D., published a Latin Grammar, which 
by 1S29 had reached its ninth edition. Also a Greek Grammar, 
which reached its second edition in 1817. He also published the 
Select Colloquies of Erasmus; A Select Century of the Colloquies 
of Corderius, Selectee Profanis Scriptoribus Historiae, yEsop's Fa- 
bles, Latin and English, and Ciceronis Epistolfe. 

Thomas Huston, M. D., published two works, one an Essay 
on Inoculation for Small Pox, and the other a Collection of Facts 
and Observation on Yellow Fever. 

Hugh Williamson, M. D., LL. D., wrote on Civil History, on 



6s 8 CHESTER COUNTY 

the Climate of Different Pai'ts of America, A History of North 
Carolina, and An Essay on Comets. 

John Gummere wrote a Treatise on Surveying, which passed 
through many editions and was extensively used in schools. 

Francis Glass wrote a life of Washington in Latin prose. 

Hezekiah Niles wrote Principles and Acts of the Eevolution 
in America and published Niles' Weekly Register, the latter well 
known to the reading public of his times throughout the United 
States, and containing much valuable historical matter. He edited 
fifty volumes and his son, William Ogden Xiles, twenty-six. 

John Jones wrote "The Power of Deception Unveiled and the 
Man of Sin Kevealed." 

Thomas L. Smith, M. D., wrote "The Chronicles' of Turkey- 
town; or the Works of Jeremy Peters," etc. 

Alexander Maitland wrote "The Political Instructor and Guide 
to Knowledge," etc. 

Joshua Jones wrote "English Grammar in Two Pai'ts," etc. 

Jesse Conard wrote two novels, one called "Stephen More- 
land," the other, "The Secrets of Mount Echo." 

Enoch Lewis was a very prolific writer, among his works being 
A Eevised Edition of Simpson's Trigonometry, A Revised Edition 
of Bonnycastle's Algebra, A Treatise on Arithmetic, A Familiar 
Introduction to English Grammar, A Treatise on Plane and Spher- 
ical Trigonometry, all of which passed through several editions 
and were used extensively in the schools. Mr. Lewis also wrote 
A View of the Militia System of Pennsylvania, A View of the 
Present State of the African Slave Trade (1824), Vindication of 
the Society of Friends (1834), A Work on Domestic Slavery (1837), 
A Dissertation on Oaths (1838), Observations on Legal and Judicial 
Oaths (1816), Essay on Baptism, showing that the Baptism of the 
Spirit is the true baptism, and not Water Baptism (1839), A Life 
of William Penn (1844 and 1845), and edited the African Observer 
and the Friends' Review. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 659 

Joseph J. Lewis wrote twenty-seven letters on the early his- 
tory of Chester County, published in the Village Record in 1824. 

Anthony Bolmar was a prolific writer on language and litera- 
ture. He wrote A Collection of One Hundred Fables, Les Adven- 
ture de Telemaque, par Fenelon, with a key, etc., A Collection of 
Colloquial Phrases, A Complete Treatise ou the Gender of Freuth 
Nouns, A Book of the French Verbs, both regular and irregular, 
A Theoretical and Practical Grammar of the French Language, 
and the Institutes of Morality for the Instruction of Youth. 

Charles Miner, one of the ablest minds ever engaged in literary 
work in Chester County, wrote Essays from the Desk of Poor 
Robert the Scribe, and a History of Wyoming, wliich is the stand- 
ard History of the Wyoming Valley. 

William Darlington, M. D., one of the most industrious and 
successful laborers the county has produced in the botanical field, 
wrote Florula Cestrica, and Flora Cestrica, the latter a revised 
edition of the former. He also wrote a work which he called 
Reliquiae Baldwiniaua^, an Essay on tlie Development and Modi- 
fications of the External Organs of Plants, a work on Agricul- 
tural Botany, on American Weeds and Useful Plants, the latter 
being a revised edition of the former; Memorials of John Bartram 
and Humphrey Marshall, Sesqui-Centennial Gathering of the Clan 
Darlington, and aided in the compilation of Notfe Cestrienses, 
Notices of Chester County Men and Events, a series of biograph- 
ical and historical papers, published in the Village Record in 
1860-62, J. Smith Futhey being the compiler of about one-third 
of the numbers and Dr. Darlington of the remainder. 

Ezra Michener, M. D.,' wrote A Retrospect of Early Quakerism; 
A Brief Exposition of the Testimony to Peace; Christian Casket, 
or the Pearl of Great Price, the latter being the Sermon on the 
Mount, combined from Matthew and Luke, with notes, and a 
Manual of Weeds, or the Weed Extei'minator. 

William D. Hartman, M. D., and Ezra Michener, M. D., to- 



66o CHESTER COUNTY 

getLer wrote a work entitled Coiichologia Cestrica, the Molluscous 
Animals and Their Shells of Chester County, and Dr. Hartinan 
has published papers: On the Opercula of the Family Strepo- 
natida'; A Bibliographical Catalogue of the Genus Partula Fer- 
russac; On the Duplicates of the same genus; and also a. Catalogue 
of the same genus, the latter printed in 18S1. 

Jesse Kersey has written Letters on Agriculture, A Treatise 
on the Fundamental Doctrines of the Christian Religion, and A 
Narrative of the Life, Travels, and Gospel Labors of Jesse Kersey. 

Thomas Woodward wrote the Columbian Plutarch, a work 
containing twenty-eight biographical sketches of pei'sons con- 
nected with American History. 

William Gibbons, M. D., wrote a work entitled Truth Vindi- 
cated, in defense of the Doctrines of the Society of Friends; and 
An Exposition of Modern Skepticism. 

Rev. George I. Miles wrote a work entitled A Glance at the 
Baptists. 

llalliday Jackson wrote a work on the Civilization of the In- 
dian Natives, in which he gave a brief view of the friendly con- 
duct of William Penn toward the Indians in the early settlement 
of Pennsylvania. 

Dr. William Johnson wrote a work entitled The Good Sa- 
maritan; or. Sick Man's Friend. 

Gen. Josiah Harlan wrote a Memoir of India and Afghan- 
istan; and A Personal Narrative of General Harlan's eighteen 
years' I'esidence in Asia. 

Henry H. Van Amringe wrote a work entitled The Seals 
Opened; or A Voice to the Jews. 

Morris Mattson, M. D., wrote: The Patriot, A Story of the 
Revolution; Hours of Devotion; Paul Ulric; and The American 
Vegetable Practice, or A New and Improved Guide to Health. 

Bayard Taylor was the most ijrolific and distinguished man 
of letters that may be claimed by Chester County, and his name 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 66 1 

and fame will alwaj-s be cherished by her people. Only a portion 
of his numerous works need be here named, which is more to 
recognize his value as an author than to give a complete cata- 
logue of his writings. Among them were Ximena, or the Battle 
of the Sierra. Morena, and other Poems; Views Afoot, or Europe 
seen with Knapsack and Staff; Eldorado, or, Adventures in the 
Path of Empire; A .Journey to Central Africa; The Lands of the 
Saracens; A Visit to India, China and Japan, in 1853; Northern 
Travel, Summer and Winter Pictures, Sweden, Lapland; Hannah 
Thurston, a Story of American Life; The Story of Kennett; By- 
Ways of Europe; The Ballad of Abraham Lincoln; Gpethe's 
Faust, Parts I and II, Translated into English; The Masque of the 
Gods; Egypt and Iceland in the Year 187-4; School History of 
Germany; Boys of Other Countries; Bismarck, his Authentic 
Biography; Prince Deukalion, and besides the above-named works 
Mr. Taylor edited numerous volumes, and wrote extensively for 
newspapers and magazines, as the Atlantic Monthly, Harper's 
Monthly Magazine, North American Review, and Scribner's 
Monthly. Since his death his widow, Mrs. Marie Taylor, has 
edited "Studies in German Literature," which has been published 
with an introduction by Hon. George H. Boker. 

Barclay Pennock wrote a work entitled The Religion of the 
Nortlimen. 

Rev. John Crowell, at one time pastor of the First Presby- 
terian Church of West Chester, wrote a work entitled Republics 
Established and Overthrown by the Bible. 

Thomas Baldwin compiled three works entitled: A Univer- 
sal Pronouncing Gazetteer; A New and Complete Gazetteer of the 
United States, and a Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer, or Geo- 
grapliieal Dictionary of the World. 

Rev. \A'illiam Newt<m, at one time rector of the Holy Trinity 
Church of West Chester, wrote Lectures ou the First Two Visions 
of the Book of Daniel. 



.662 CHESTER COUNTIT 

Gilbert Cope, the author of many genealogical works and joint 
author of Futhey & Cope's History of Chester County, was born 
August 17, 1840, in East Bradford Township, at the present resi- 
dence of George B. Mellor, near the old Black Horse tavern. He 
is a son of Joseph and Eliza (Gilbert) Cope, and, like his father 
and grandfather, he was the youngest of eight childi'en. His 
father owned the land now comprising the two farms of George B. 
Mellor and Herman Hoope«, and in 1852, having erected new 
buildings on the hill, removed thereto, leaving his eldest son in 
charge of the homestead. 

Joseph Cope was a son of Joseph and Ann (Taj-lor) Cope of 
East Bradford, and grandson of John and Charity (Jefferis) Cope 
of the same township. Eliza Gilbert was a daughter of Abner 
and Ann (Cooper) Gilbert, of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 
and granddaughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Walton) Gilbert, 
who, with her father and some of their other children, were taken 
captives by the Indians from their home in Northampton County, 
Pennsylvania, in 1780, and carried to the St. Lawrence River. 
A narrative of their captivity has passed through several editions. 

Gilbert Cope received his education in a family school at home 
and at a neighbor's, taught by a sister; at a Friends' School in 
West Chester, and at the Friends' Boarding School in Westtowu 
Township; but as was common with farmers' boys at that early 
day, attended only in the winter months, and his school educa- 
tion ceased before he was seventeen years old. When about four- 
teen he became interested in botany, and in succeeding years spent 
many happy hours in becoming familiar with the vegetation of his 
native county. At seventeen the subject of genealogy was brought 
to his attention, and after the publication of a work on the Cope 
family in 1861, he turned his attention to other families from which 
he is descended, and also began to collect data for local history. 
After his father's death and the sale of the homestead he became- 
a resident of West Chester in 1872, and has continued there to 
reside ever since. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 663, 

Before the colleetiou of family aud local history he has 
been much interested in the preservation of public and private 
records and manuscripts, and has put into book hundreds of 
volumes of manuscripts for the Pennsylvania Historical So- 
ciety, Philadelphia Library, College of Physicians and of 
Chester County records. His own collections demanded a 
place of security, and a fireproof vault has been added 
to his residence for their storage. Believing that future genera- 
tions would justify the measure, he has endeavored to secure the 
passage of an act for the recording of old aud unrecorded deed* 
within the county. 

Gilbert Cope is a most industrious compiler of genealogies, 
among his works being a IJecord of the Cope Family; a Geneal- 
ogy of the Button Family of Pennsylvania; The Browns of Not- 
tingham, besides numerous other works of a similar nature. 

In 1880 he married Anna Garrett, daughter of David aud 
Mary Ann (Hoopes) Garrett, late of Birmingham Township, aud 
by her has had four childreu, viz., Herman, Ellen, David G., wlio 
died in infancy, and Joseph. 

Thomas Buchanan Read is one of the most famous authoi-s 
to whom Chester County can lay claim. His writings, mostly 
poetic, are numerous, and of the several volumes some of them 
are entitled merely "Poems." They may be named as fcdlows: 
Poems, Boston, 1847; Lays and Ballads, Philadelphia, 1848; The 
Female Poets of America, 1848; The Pilgrims of the Great f>t. 
Bernard, published in the successive numbers of a magazine;. 
Poems, London, 1852; Poems, Philadelphia, 1853; The New Pas- 
toral, A Poem, 3855; The House by the Sea, 1856; Sylvia, or the 
Lost Shepherd 1857; Eural Poems, London, 1857; The Wagoner 
of the Alleghenies, a Poem of the Days of Seventy-Six, 1802; A 
Summer Story, Sheridan's Ride, etc., 1865; Poems, New and En- 
larged Edition, 1865; and Good Samaritans, a Poem, published 
in Cincinnati. 



664 CHESTER COUNTY 

Ell K. Price was a prolific writer, among his works being the 
following: Memoir of Philip and Rachel Price; Memorial of Our 
Daughter; Discourse on the Family as an Element of Govern- 
ment; Discourse of Trial by Jury; Of the Limitations of Actions 
and Liens Against Ileal Estate in Pennsylvania; The Act for the 
Sale of lieal Estate; and the History of the Consolidation of the 
City of Philadelphia. 

James P. Wickershain ^^'rote several works, among them: 
School Economy; Methods of Instruction, and The Common School 
Laws of Pennsylvania, and Decisions of the Superintendent, with 
Explanations, Forms, etc. 

Edward H. AVilliamson wrote several volumes, among them 
being: The Scout, a Storj- of the Revolution; The Quaker Par- 
tisans, a Story of the Revolution; Philip ]Morton; The Book of 
Deeds, and The List of Notaries. 

Daniel G. Erinton, M. D., wrote: The Floridian Peninsula; 
The Shawnees and Their Migrations; The M^^ths of the Xew 
World; A Guide Book of Florida and the South; The National 
Legend of the Chahta-Muskokee Tribes; The Phonetic Alphabet 
of Yucatan; Grammar of the Choctaw Language; The Arawack 
Language of Guiana in its Linguistic and Ethnological Relations;; 
Contributions to a Grammar of the Chahta-Muskokee Language; 
The Religious Sentiment, Its Source and Aim; and the Brinton 
Family. 

Gen. George A. McCall wrote a series of Letters from the 
Frontier, covering a period of thirty years' service in the army. 

Isaac I. Hayes, M. D., tlie great Arctic explorer, wrote: An 
Arctic Boat Journey in the Autumn of 1854; The Open Polar 
Sea; The Land of Desolation; and Cast Away in the Cold. 

J. Smith Futhey wrote: History of the Upper Octorara Pres- 
byterian Church; History of Educational Institutions in Chester 
County; and an Address on the One Hundreth Anniversary of 
the Paoli Massacre. Judge Futhey and Gilbert Cope wrote a 
History of Chester County, which Avas published in 1881. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 665 

Major Isaiah Price wrote a history of the Xinetj-seventh Eegi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, during the war of the 
Rebellion. 

Samuel W. Peuuypacker was the author of the Annals of 
Phoenixville and Its Vicinity; The Pennypacker Reunion; Abra- 
ham and Dirck Op Den Graeff, and the Settlement of Germantown. 

Charlton T. Lewis, son of Joseph J. Lewis, in company with 
Marvin E. Vincent, professor in Troy University, translated John 
Albert Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament; and Mr. Lewis 
wrote A History of Germany from the Earliest Times, and Har- 
per's Latin Dictionary, witli the exception of the first 21(5 pages. 

Mrs. Mary D. K. Boyd has written largely in the line of Svm- 
day-school literature; Fannie H. Bent is also a writer of literature 
designed for the use of Sunday-schools. 

Isaac D. Johnson, M. D., of Kennett Square, has written a 
Therapeutic Key, and a Guide to Homeopathic Practice. 

Joseph T. Eothrock, M. D., has written a Sketch of the Flora 
of Alaska; a Work on Botany; the sixth volume of the United 
States Geographical Surveys West of the One Hundredth Merid- 
ian; A Catalogue of Trees and Shrubs, Native and Introduced in 
the Horticultural Gardens Adjacent to Horticultural Hall, Fair- 
mount Park, Philadelphia, and a work called Medical Botany of 
America. 

John Russell Young, at present Librarian of Congress, has 
written Around the World with General Grant. 

George L. Maris, A. M., is the author of a work entitled 
The Normal English Grammar. 

Prof. George G. Groff, M. D., has written on the Common Min- 
erals, Ores and Rocks of Chester County; The Common Minerals 
and Ores of Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and Maryland; 
The Chemical Elements; Geological Chart; Plant Description; Ele- 
ments of Animal Physiology; Elements of Mineralogy; Elements 
of Agricultural Chemistry; and A Manual of Accidents and Emer- 
gencies. 



666 CHESTER COUNTY 

Francis C. Hooton is the antlior of a work on The General 
and Special Pennsylvania Road Laws, and The Supervisor's Guide. 

Hon. P. Frazer Smith wrote a work on the Forms of Pro- 
cedure in the Courts of Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania State 
Eeports, comprising cases adjudged in the Supreme Court of Penn- 
sylvania from 18G5 to 1876. 

Thomas Louis Ogier is the author of two books, one a pamphlet 
of 26 pages on Capital Punishment, and the other a Life of the 
Hon. James Bowen Everhart, of 156 pages, published in 1889. 

George M. Philips, Ph. D., in connection with President Isaac 
Sharpless of Haverford College, wrote an Elementary Astronomy 
and an Elementary Natural Philosophy, and also a key to the 
latter, published in a separate volume. Dr. Philips also wrote 
a work on the Civil Governmeut of Pennsylvania, and a Supple- 
ment to Mowry's Civil Govei'ument. He also wrote a work on 
the Geography of Pennsylvania which was published as a supple- 
ment to Kand & McNally's Grammar School Geography. 

Professor James McClune wrote a History of the Brandywine 
Manor Presbyterian Church; A Comprehensive Calendar, a Cal- 
endar for all time indexed for two hundred and fifty years; a 
Eeport on the Solar Eclipse of August 7, 1869; a Biography of 
the Chiss of 1825, Princeton College, compiled by four of the 
class, including himself. 

Howard M. Jenkins wrote an address on William Penn, his 
character and career, and prepared Historical Collections relatiug 
to Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, settled 
in 1698 by the Welsh, together with data referring to the adjoining- 
township in the same county. 

Frank M. Stauffer wrote a work entitled The Queer, the 
Quaint, the Quizzical, a Cabinet for the Curious, 367 pages, pub- 
lished in 1882. 

Col. Isaiah Price wrote an account of the Reunion of the Nine- 
ty-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, October 29, 1881,. 
on the old camp ground at Camp Wayne. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 667 

Thomas D. Ingram, M. D., wrote a work on Representative 
Oovernment, * * » » Ti^g Civil Evil and its Eemedy. 

Pennock Hney wrote A True History of the Charge of the 
Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Chancellorsvile. 

Benjamin Moran wrote The Footpath and Highway, or Wan- 
derings of an American in Great Britain in 1851 and 1852. 

t^amuel W. Penuypacker wrote a choice woi*k entitled Histor- 
ical and Biographical Sketches, published in 1883. 

James Grier Ralston wrote an Historical Sketch of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Norristown, Pennsylvania, with Biograph- 
ical Sketches of its Ministers, etc., and a work entitled Solar Hiero- 
glyphics. 

James Monaghan prepared The Chester County Reports, cases 
decided by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the several 
courts of the Commonwealth, arising chiefly in the courts of 
Chester County, and also Pennsylvania County Court Reports, 
cases decided in the courts of the several counties of the Com- 
monwealth. 

Horatio McLean Jones compiled Missouri State Reports, vol- 
umes 21 to 30, published 1856 to 1861. 

George L. Maris and Annie M, Maris prepared a volume on 
The Maris Family of the United States; a Record of the Descend- 
ants of George and Alice Maris, 1683-1885. 

Edwin Atlee Barber prepared a Genealogical Record of the 
Atlee Family : The Descendants of Judge William Augustus Atlee 
and Colonel Samuel John Atlee, of Lancaster County. 

Thomas Maxwell Potts wrote a Bi-Centennial Memorial of 
Jeremiah Carter, who came to the Province of Pennsylvania in 
1682, published in 1883. 

Edward H. Williamson wrote in addition to the works men- 
tioned above several other works, some of them as follows: Ances- 
tral Brief: A Brief of Lineage of the Descendants of William 



668 CHESTER COUNTY 

Williamson of Thornbury Township, Chester County; The Clip- 
ping of the Osprey's Wings, and other Tales of Battle and Adven- 
ture on Sea and Land; After Work Hours; State Laws llelating 
to Wills; and The Scout, a Legend of Old Thornbury Township. 

Cyrus Stern wrote a work entitled Our Kindred — The McFar- 
len and Stern Families. 

Mrs. Sarah Louisa Oberholtzer wrote Violet Lee and Other 
Poems; Come for Arbutus; Daisies of Verse, and Hope's Heart 
Bells. 

Frances Lavinia Michener wrote Prose and Poetical Works, 
octavo, 386 pages, published in 1SS4, third edition in 1888. 

Ann Preston wrote Cousin Ann's Stories, a book of poems for 
children. 

Mrs. Levi G. McCauley wrote Stories for Little Ones, 1886. 

Thomas Elwood Garrett wrote the Masque of the Muses. 

Mrs. Isabella P. Huston wrote Superficial Glimpses of Travel, 
published in 1888. 

Fenelon Darlington wrote A Short History of Great Inven- 
tions and Discoveries, and A Token of Esteem and IJemembrance 
for My Young Friends at School. 

Eev. James Koberts, D. D., wi'ote a Memorial of the Rev. 
James W. Dale, D. D., for private circulation. 

Eev. William H. H. Marsh wrote The Modern Sunday-school, 
and Two Theories of the Visible Church. 

Rev. Francis J. Collier, D. D., wrote Quarter Century Reunion 
of Jefferson College, and Temperance Truth for Young and Old. 

Eev. Samuel Fulton wrote Golden Promises Selected from 
God's Word ; Compend of Chronology, and A Family Manual, Seven 
Don'ts. 

Eev. Robert P. Dubois wrote a Sketch of the Life and Char- 
acter of the Eev. James Latta, D. D. 

Eev. David Evans wrote The Minister of Christ and the Duties 
of His Flock. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 669 

Key. John Duer wrote a Memorial of Kev. John Duer, his^ 
father. 

Kev. J. W. Ilood wrote The Negro in the Christian Pulpit, 
or the Two Characters and the Two Destinies. 

Tiev. Mathias Sheeleigh, D. D., wrote numerous works, the 
principal ones being as follows: Outlines of Old Testament His- 
tory, for Youth; Outlines of New Testament History, for Youth; 
Brief Life of Martin Luther, the Great Reformer; The delation of 
the Sunday-school to the Church; and the Conservation of Our 

Church's History. 

Thomas K. Brown wrote an Academic Algebra, designed as 

an Advanced Algebra for High Schools. 

Esther J. Trimble wrote a Handbook of English and American 
Literature, Historical and Critical. 

William M. Rupert wrote a Guide to the study of History 
and the Constitution of the United States. 

William Vogdes, A. M., wrote a United States Arithmetic, 
designed for Schools and Academies, a Ke.y to the same and a 
Treatise on Mensuration. 

Joshua Jones wrote an English Grammar, founded on tlie 
natural principles of speech, and a Lecture on English Grammar. 

David M. Sensenig, M. S., wrote a work entitled Xumbors 
Symbolized: An Elementary Algebra. 

Elijah W. Beans wrote a Manual of Practical Surveyors. 

SaiQuel Sloan wrote the Model Architect: a Guide for the 
Builder and Carpenter; City and Suburban Architecture; Home- 
stead Architecture; Constructive Architecture; and Architectural 
Review and Builders' Journal. 

Marie Hansen Taylor and Horace E. Scudder wrote the Life 
and Letters of Bayard TayloV, two volumes, 18S4. 

T. B. Read wrote Paul Redding, a Tale of the Braudywine. 

Alfred L. Elwyu, M. D., compiled a Glossary of Supposed 
Americanisms. 



670 CHESTER COUNTY 

George Lipjiard wrote an Original Revolntionary Clironicle 
and tlie White Banner. 

IJev. Edwin McMinn wrote Eambles in Mineral Fields. 

Stephen P. Sharpless wrote a work entitled The Woods of 
the United States. 

William Mc(?lay wrote Sketches of Debate in the First Sen- 
ate of the United States, most interesting reading. William Mo- 
Clay was born in Chester Connty, was educated in the famous 
school of Eev. John Blair at Fagg's Manor, and was a Senator 
in Congress from Pennsylvania, and it has been often stated that 
he. and not Jefferson, was the father of the Democratic party. 

Benjamin M. Everhart has written much for the Journal of 
Mycology, or the Science of the Fungi. Mr. Everhart has given 
much time to the study of botany, and is at the present time 
one of the foremost authorities on this department in the world. 

Edwin Atlee Barber wrote a Genealogical Eecord of the At- 
lee Family, 1884; a Genealogy of the Barber Family, 1890, and 
The Pottery and Porcelain of the United States, 1893. 

John Vanderslice Avrote Around the World, Sketches of 
Travel Through Many Lands and Over Many Seas, 1876. 

William Whitehead wrote Etoile and Other Poems, 1872. 

Brinton W. Woodward wrote Old Wine in New Bottles, 1890. 

Dr. J. T. Eothrook wrote Vacation Cruising in Chesapeake 
and Delaware Bays, and has also written a large number of sci- 
entific articles, which have been embodied in government reports, 
mainly on forestry. 

Judge Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker wrote Annals of Pha- 
nixville and Vicinity; Historical and Biographical Sketches, 1883; 
Pennsylvania Supreme Courts, four volumes, 1882 to 1886; Weelcly 
Notes of Cases argued and deternfiued in the Supi'eme Court of 
Pennsylvania, 1875 to 1891; and the Descent of Samuel Whitaker 
Pennypacker, 1898. 

• Dr. William Darlington compiled a Directory of West Ches- 




^ m^ 




F-GuUfyuii Cd 



GILBERT COPE. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 671 

ter in 1857, iu wliicli he publislied a short History of West Chester 
lip to that (late. 

Gilbert Cope is also author of the following works: Gene- 
alogy of the Shai^Dless Family, descended from John and Jane 
Sharpless, settlers near Chester, Pennsylvania, 1682; together 
with some account of the English aucestiT of the family, includ- 
ing the results of researches by Henry Fishwick, F. H. S., and 
the late Joseph Lemuel Chester, LL. D.; and a full report of the 
Bi-Centennial Keunion of 1S82. Compiled by Gilbert Cope of 
West Chester, Pa. Published for the Family, under the auspices 
of the Bi-Ceutounial Committee. Philadelphia, 1887. pp. xvi., 
1333. 

This contains the names of over 19,000 descendants of John 
and Jane Sharpless, with several thousand otliers connected with 
the family by marriage. The Grubb Family of Pennsylvania and 
Delaware, 1893. This is a pamphlet of twelve double-column 
pages, reprinted from the Daily Local News; Ancestral Chart. 
This is a blank for filling up with the names of all a person's 
ancestors covering eight generations; first published in 1875, with 
a second edition in 1879. This is much in. demand by those iater- 
ested in their ancestry; Genealogical Records of the ancestry of 
William Hood Dunwoody, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Now iu 
press; Darlington Genealogy, nearly ready for the press, and to be 
published this year (1898); Smedley Genealogy, in preparation — a 
large work, which will probably appear in 1899. 

Thomas Buchanan Read was born about four miles from 
Downingtown, Chester County, on March 12, 1822, and died in 
New York City, May 11, 1872. His mother, a widow, apprenticed 
him to a ta.ilor, but he ran away, learned in Philadelphia the 
trade of cigar-making, and iu 1837 made his way to Cincinnati, 
where he found a home with the sculptor, Shobal V. Clevenger. 
He learned the trade of a sign painter, and attended school at 
intervals. Not succeeding in Cincinnati, he went to Dayton, and 
39 



672 CHESTER COUNTY 

obtained an engagement in the theater. Returning to Cincin- 
nati in about a year, he was enabled by the liberality of Nicholas 
Longworth to open a studio as a. portrait-painter. lie did not 
long remain in Cincinnati, but wandered from town to town paint- 
ing signs when he could find no sitters, sometimes giving public 
entertainments, and reverting to cigar-making when other re- 
sources failed. In 1841 he removed to New York City, and withiu 
a year to Boston. While there he made his first essays as a poet, 
publishing in the Courier several lyric poems in 1843-44. Tie 
settled in Philadelphia in 1S4G, and visited Europe in 1850. In 
1853 he went again to Europe and devoted himself to the stud^- 
and practice of art in Florence and Rome until 1858. He after- 
ward spent much time in Philadelphia and Cincinnati, but in the 
last years of his life made Rome his principal residence. While 
in the United States during the Civil War he gave public read- 
ings for the benefit of the soldiers, and recited his war songs in 
the camps of the National army. He died while making a visit 
to the United States. 

His paintings, most of which deal with allegorical and mytho- 
logical subjects, are full of poetic and graceful fancies, but the 
technical treatment is careless and unskillful, betraying his lack 
of early training. The best known are The Spirit of the \Vater- 
fall. Undine, The Lost Pleiad, The Star of Bethlehem, Longfel- 
low's Children, Cleopatra and her Barge, and Sheridan's Ride. 
He painted portraits of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the ex-queen 
of Naples, George M. Dallas, Henry W. Longfellow, Leigh Hunt, 
Tennyson, and others. His group of Longfellow's daughters was 
popular in photographs. He turned his hand occasionally fo 
sculpture, producing one work, a bust of Sheridan, that attracted 
much attention. He possessed a much more thorough mastery 
of the means of expression in the art of poetry than in painting. 
His poems are marked by a fervent spirit of patriotism and by 
artistic power and fidelity in the description of American scenery 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 673 

and rural life. His first volume of Poems (Philadelphia, 181T> 
was followed by Lays and Ballads (1848). He next made a col- 
lection of extracts and specimens from the Female Poets of 
America (1848), containing also biographical notices and portrait 
(IraAvn by himself. An edition of his lyrics, with illustrations 
by Kenny Meadows, appeared in London in 1852, and 1853 a 
new and enlarged edition was published in Philadelphia. A prose 
romance, entitled The Pilgrims of the Great St. Bernard, was pub- 
lishe<l as a serial. The New Pastoral, his most ambitioiis poem, de- 
scribes in blank verse the pioneer life of a family of immigrants, 
(1854). The more dramatic and imaginative poem that followed, 
entitled The House by the Sea (1856), gained for it more readers 
than had been attracted by its own superior merits. Next appeared 
Sylvia, or the Lost Shepherd and Other Poems (1857) and A Voy- 
age to Iceland (1857), and the same year a collection of his Eural 
Poems was issued in London. His Complete Poetical Works (Bos- 
ton, 1800) contained the longer and shorter poems tliat had bei'ii 
already published. His next narrative poem was The Wagoner 
of the Alleghenies, a tale of IJevolutionary times (Philadelphia, 
186). During the Civil ^^'ar he wrote many patriotic lyrics, 
including the stirring poem of Sheridan's Eide, which was printed 
in a volume with A Summer Story and other pieces, chieflj' of 
the war (Philadelphia, 1865). His last long poem was The Good- 
Samaritans (Cincinnati, 1867). The fullest editions of his poetical 
works were printed in Philadelphia (3 vols., 1865 and 18G7). 

Bayard Taylor, one of the most widely known literary writers 
of America, was born at Kennett Square,. Chester County, Janu- 
ary 11, 1825, his father and mother (Joseph and Rebecca (Way) 
Taylor, both living after his death. Robert Taylor, a rich Quaker 
who came to Pennsylvania in 1681 with William Penn, was his 
ancestor, and a part of tlie land taken up by this rich Quaker 
is now the site of Cedarcroft. The grandmothers of Bayard Tay- 
lor were both of South German descent. The name Bayard 



674 CHESTER COUNTY 

was given him in honor of James A. Bayard, the United States 
Senator from Delaware at that time, and Bayard was "his only 
and triie name." In 1829 the family moved to the farm a mile 
from Kennett Square, and there continued to live until the build- 
ing of Cedarcroft. "The education which he received at home and 
under the impulse of his own nature took precedence of the more 
formal culture of school life. Especially was he indebted to his 
mother, who understood well the refinement of his nature." And 
he says of himself that the books he read came from the village 
library, and the task of helping to fodder on the dark winter 
evenings was lightened by the anticipation of sitting down to 
Gibbon's Rome or Thaddeus of Warsaw. He derived the greatest 
satisfaction from books, and the eagerness with which he read 
was measured by the retentiveness of his memory of those early 
readings, and before he was twelve years of age he had "devoured" 
the contents of the circulating library of the little town of -Kennett 
Square, and Cooper's novels, and the histories of Gibbon, Eobert- 
son and Hume. But his chief delight was in books of travel and 
poetry. 

His earlier education was supplemented by a regular course 
of study in the school, which was a great delight to him. The 
influence of the writings of other's upon the tender mind is aptly 
illustrated by that upon his mind of a certain stanza of poetrj% 
which in writing later to his old teacher at Kennett Square had 
cheered and encouraged him a thousand times when his prospects 
seemed gloomy. 

"O, why should we seek to anticipate sorrow, 
By throwing the flowers of the present away. 

And gathering the dark rolling cloudy to-morrow 
To darken tJie generous sun of to-day? 

In addressing old Quaker friends it was easy for him to throw 
his letters into the Quaker form, for his family, though not for- 



AXD IT.^ PEOPLE. 675 

mallv Quakers, vet generally adhered to the principles of the 
society. Eis mother was reared a Lutheran, yet she became at- 
tached to the Quakers in early life, and taught her children the 
fundamental doctrines of the society. At fourteen he began the 
study of Latin and French, and at fifteen Spanish. At sixteen 
his schooling practically ceased, but he kept on until he was 
nineteen with Latin and French. In 1837 his father was elected 
sheriff of Chester County, and moved to West Chester, remain- 
ing there three years, and it was during this time that young 
Bayard attended Anthony Bolmar's school. Shortly afterward 
he attended the academy at Unionville, and there completed his 
formal schooling in 1842. 

It was in this latter year that he became apprenticed for a 
term of four years to Henry E. Evans, publisher of the Village 
Record, and it was during this apprenticeship that he began to 
write poems. One of these poems, to which he had given the 
name of "Rosalie," he afterward named Ximena. He believed 
that poetry owns as its true field the happiness of mankind. 
Quoting Channing, he said, "its use is to lift the mind out of the 
beaten, dusty, weary walks of life, to rouse it into a purer element, 
and to breathe into it a moj'e i)rofouud and generous emotion." 

The first journey he ever made was to the Catskill Mountains, 
and his first purpose in publishing his volume of poems, Ximena, 
was to secure money enough to carry out a plan of going to the 
West Indies. After reading Howitt's Rural Life in Germany 
he became convinced that it was possible for him to see Europe 
on foot, after once having crossed the Atlantic. In order to 
accomplish this object he purchased the remainder of his appren- 
ticeship time from Mi". Evans, and made arrangements with cer- 
tain editors of magazines for letters from abroad, some of them 
paying him in advance as much as |50 for twelve letters. In this 
way he secured §140, a sum which he thought sufficient to cany 
him to the ends of the earth. He made an agreement with Horace 



6/6 CHESTER COUNTY 

Greelej- by which he was to write for the Tribune letters descrip- 
tive of German life and society, Mr. Greeley admonishing him not 
to write until he knew something. 

Bayard Taylor reached the old world July 26, 1844, and spent 
there two years in travel and study, which comprised his univer- 
sity education. While he ardently desired to travel in Greece, 
yet Rome was tlie end of his journey toward the East. Upon 
returning home in 184G his anxiety was great to undertake some 
occupation which should yield him a fixed income so that he 
might marry and settle down in life. Determining, therefore, to 
establish a weekly paper in Chester County, he was joined by 
Frederick E. Foster, and they located in Phoenixville, purchasing 
the Phoenixville Gazette, and changing its name to the Phoenix- 
ville Pioneer. The first number of this paper appeared Decem- 
ber 29, 1846, but its career was not what he anticipated. The 
inhabitants of the village of Phoenixville were mostly workmen 
in the several manufacturing establishments, and the country 
people were conservative farmers, and they preferred local news 
to anything he felt like preparing for publication in the Pioneer. 
His neutrality iu politics made him enemies in both parties, and 
after one year's experience he gave up the business in despair 
and went to New York, "weighed down with a debt, the paying 
of which cost me the earnings of the next three years." 

Remaining in New York until 1849 his prosperity was so great 
that he was enabled to buy into the New York Tribune, which 
laid the foundation of his pecuniary fortune. Mr. Greeley and 
he became vei*y friendly, and in 1850 he went to California for the 
Tribune. In 1851 he went to Egypt, traveled up the Valley of 
the Nile, and saw much of the country. After ti*aveling in Syria, 
Palestine and Asia Minor he reached Constantinople in July 12, 
1852, and reached Catania in Sicily in time to see the grand festival 
of St. Ag"atha, which takes place only once in a hundred years. 

After this he went to the Farther East, reaching Bombay 



AXD /7VS' PEOPLE'. 677 

December 27, 1852, went to Agra, Delhi, Landowr, Dehra, Meerut, 
Cawnpore, Allahabad and Calcutta. In 1854 he returned home 
to find himself famous, and invitations to lecture poured in upon 
him. Though he found this field of labor profitable, yet he also 
found it very irksome. In 1856 he went to Scandinavia, being 
present before returning home in 1858 at the three hundredth 
anniversary of the University of Jena. 

In 1859-60 he built Cedarcroft, and at the breaking out of 
the war of the Kebellion, when his brother Frederick enlisted, he 
sold a share of his stock in the Tribune and devoted a thousand 
dollars to the cause of the Union. Then after a short tour in 
Germany he returned to his native country to aid in the prosecu- 
tion of the war. In 1862 he was sent with Simon Cameron to Rus- 
sia, as secretary of legation, and upon Mr. Cameron's return from 
St. Petersburg he was made charge d' affaires, and in this position 
was eminently useful to his country in preventing Russia from 
uuiting with England and France in an intervention in American 
affairs, by showing Gortchakoff that the United States was abun- 
dantly able to suppress the Rebellion. 

Bayard Taylor was engaged in literary work, novel writing 
and poetry from 1863 to 1867, most of the time at Cedarcroft. After 
this he spent a year in Europe, and then another year, 1869, at Ce- 
darcroft. In 1872 he again went to Europe, where his translation 
of Faust made him a man of mark and interest. From Germany he 
returned to America in the fall of 1871, in October of which year 
he removed to Xcav York Citj- with the view of making that his 
permanent home, leaving his parents in possession of Cedarcroft. 
In 1876 he wrote the National Ode, and early in 1878 he was 
appointed by President Hayes minister to Germany. He was 
greatly honored by his fellow-citizens of Kennett Square and 
West Chester on the occasions of his visits to those places when 
on his way to take passage to Germany. His last great work 
was "Prince Deucalion," and the last verse he wrote was called 



6/8 CHESTER COUNTY 

"Epicedium," written in September, 1878, and read at the Cen- 
tury Memorial to William Cullen Bryant. He died November 19, 
1878, and bis remains, after lying in the cemetery at Jerusalem, 
reached America March 13, 1879. 

It is needless to say in conclusion more than that Bayard 
Taylor was one of the most industrious and illustrious writers of 
his day, and taken in every way one of the best of men, high- 
toned, honorable and unselfish to an unusual degree. 

In the early spring of 1SC3 Bayard Taylor had the good for- 
tune to intercept dispatches fi'om Secretary of State Bejamin of 
the Confederate States Government to Mr. Lamar, who had been 
appointed agent of the Confederate States at St. Petersburg. 
These dispatches instructed Mr. Lamar not to permit the intro- 
duction into any treaty of amity and commerce which the Con- 
federate States might make of a clause prohibiting the African 
slave trade. In transmitting these dispatches to Hon. William H. 
Seward Mr. Taylor caustically remarked: 

"It is a curious illustration in the combat of the powers of 
light and darkness for the possession of the world, that on this 
3d day of March, 1863, the day of the jubilee on which twenty 
millions of serfs became forever free, that I forward to you an 
insidious document in favor of human slavery." 

Upon the appointment of Hon. Cassius M. Clay as minister 
to Russia, Mr. Taylor immediately resigned as secretary of lega- 
tion, and upon learning of the death of his youngest brother, Fred- 
erick, who fell at Gettysburg, he at once returned to America. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION — FIRST SOCIETY ORGANIZED IN THE COUNTY — LATER 

SOCIETIES THEIR PROCEEDINGS — STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY OFFICERS — 

PROFESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EMINENT PRACTITIONERS 

HOSPITAL SERVICES LABOR OF PHYSICIANS IN OTHER FIELDS 

SCIENTIFIC ATTAINMENTS — THE SCHOOLS REPRE- 
SENTED — DENTISTRY 

THE first medical society in Chester County was organized 
in West Chester in 1809, by the physicians of the place and the 
vicinity. It was not sufficiently well attended to be maintained. 
Another was organized in 1828, which incliided the entire county. 
This society nourished for a number of years and then suffered a 
period of suspended animation, when it was revived, and by about 
1850 it was in a flourishing condition. 

The society organized in 1828 was named the Chester County 
Medical Society, and its first meeting appears to have been held 
February 5 that year. Dr. Isaac Thomas being the chairman and 
Dr. "\Tilmer Worthington, secretary. A committee to prepare a 
constitution was appointed, consisting of Drs. William Darling- 
ton, George A. Fairlamb, William Harris, Samuel McClean, Ezra 
Michener, Joseph Griffith and John Kennedy. In addition to those 
najued above the following participated in the forming of the 
society: Jacob Sharpless, Isaac L. Coffmau, Bartholomew Fussell, 
Isaac Pennington, Charles W. Parish and John B. Brinton. The 
constitution as adopted provided for a president, two vice-presi- 
dents, a recording and a corresponding secretary, and a treasurer. 
The by-laws made it incumbent on the members to report to the 
society all remarkable cases of disease within their knowledge. 
A permanent organization was effected by the elecjjion of Dr. Wil- 
liam Darlington, president; Drs. George A. Fairlamb and William 

68i 



682 CHESTER COUNTY 

Harris, vice-presidents; John Kennedy and Wilmer Worthington, 
secretaries; Thomas Seal, treasurer, and Samuel McClean, orator. 
During the next three years the new members added were Drs. 
Enoch P. Hoopes and Gideon G. Palmer. From 1831 to 1847 no 
meetings were held. In the latter year six of the old members 
and thirteen other members met June 8, in the hall of the Chester 
County Cabinet of Natural Sciences, and effected a reorganiza- 
tion. At the next meeting, held in December, 1817, the society 
adopted the code of ethics then recently adopted by the American 
Medical Society and also a fee-bill, which it was hoped would '"he 
found to approach as near as may be to the views aud practices 
of the physicians of the county, and furnish no just grounds of 
complaint to patients." 

At the same December meeting resolutions were introduced 
by Dr. Wilmer Worthington and adopted by the society, having 
in view the formation of a State Medical Society, and directing 
the corresponding secretary to invite the cooperation of the vari- 
ous medical associations and schools of the State. The result 
of this correspondence was the organization of the Medical Society 
of the State of Pennsylvania, which held its first meeting in Lan- 
caster, in April, 1848, 

In 1S49 the stated meetings of the Chester County Medical 
Society were made semi-annual instead of quarterly, and the plan 
was adopted of holding an adjourned meeting in some other part of 
the county about a month after the stated meeting. In 1850 tlie Del- 
aware County Medical Society was organized, the members of Ches- 
ter County Medical Society living in Delaware County withdraw- 
ing to unite with their own society. This left in the Chester County 
Society somewhat more than forty members. In 1852 Drs. William 
Darlington, Charles W. Parish and Wilmer Worthington were ap- 
pointed a committee to prepare and report biographical sketches 
of deceased physicians of the county, which biographies were 
published in the Medical Eeporter, a quarterly journal published 



AyO ITS PEOPLE. 683 

uuder the directiou of the Chester aud Delaware County Medical 
Societies, its first number appearing in July, 1853. This journal 
was published for three years, and was in charge of five editors, 
viz.: From Chester County, Drs. Wilmer Worthingtou, Isaac 
Thomas and Jacob Price, and from Delaware County Drs. J. T. 
nuddleston and George Martin. Previously to the time of the 
Medical Keporter the proceedings of the society were published 
in pamphlet form, first in 1848, and again in 1852. All other 
publications authorized by the society have been made through 
the transactions of the State Medical Society. 

In 1857 the State Medical Society held its annual meeting in 
the West Chester Court-house, and for several years after 1860 
the Chester County Medical Society was in an inactive condition, 
for the reason that the War of the Rebellion attracted from it its 
most active members. The society in other ways showed the 
patriotism of its members by offering, in April, 1861, in a unani- 
mous resolution, aud to attend the families of those who should 
volunteer in the service of the Union, in cases of sickness, so long 
as those volunteers should remain in the service, without charge. 
In 1869 the membership was thirteen and in 1880 it was thirty. 

Since 1880 the oificers of this society have been as follows: 
Presidents — J. D. W. Henderson, E. V. Swing, George K. 
Spratt, E. Hopkins, William B. Briuton, E. B. Carey, Thomas D. 
Ingram, E. V. Swing, William E. Perdue, James Fulton, Thomas 
D. Dunn, J. K. Evans, E. B. Ewing, W. T. Sharpless, Charles J. 
Eoberts, J. H. Stubbs, U. Grant Gifford, Mrs. Elizabeth H. C. 
Howell, Benjamin Thompson, Ida V. Eeel, who fills the office at 
the present time. 

The corresponding secretaries have been as follows: Ephraim 
Hopkins, W. E. Perdue, Thomas D. Ingram, S. H. Wollertou, J. E. 
McClurg, P. C. Hoskius, both corresponding and recording secre- 
tary from 1885 to 1896, when S. H. Scott, the present official, suc- 
ceeded. 



684 CHESTER COUNTY 

The recordiug secretaries have been as follows: Epliraim Hop- 
kins, Edward Jackson, James Fulton, and P. C. Hoskins as above. 

The treasurers have been as follows: Charles E. Woodward, 
until 1895, when Wilhelmina T. Nelson of West Chester became 
treasurer, holding the office until the present time. 

Dr. James Anderson, one of the early physicians of Chester 
County, was born in Charlestown Township, April 11, 1782, and 
in 1804 began the study of medicine under the iustriiction of Dr. 
Eoger Davis. After attending lectures in the University of Penn- 
sylvania two years he received his degree in 1806, and he was 
actively engaged in the practice of his profession in the county 
for upward of tliirty years. He died June 1, 1858, in the seventy- 
seventh year of his age. 

Di*. Nathan Hayes, one of the older physicians of Chester 
County, was born in the township of West Marlborough, Feb- 
ruary 5, 1787. He commenced the stud}' of medicine with Dr. 
T. Griffith, a practitioner in the village of Unionville, completing 
his study with Dr. William Baldwin of Wilmington, Delaware. 
In the spring of 1808 he received the degree of M. D. from the 
University of Pennsylvania, the subject of his thesis being the 
"Modus Operandi of Medicine." He immediately located in Edge- 
mont Township, Delaware County, but at the end of a year he 
removed to Unionville, where he continued the practice of medi- 
cine during the remainder of his life. He died of consumption In 
July, 1819. 

Dr. Frederick William Heckel, Sr., was born in Saarbruck, 
Germany, in January, 18U0, and came to the United iStates in 1823, 
In 1825 he settled in East A^incent Township and immediately 
began there the practice of medicine, and continued in the prac- 
tice of his profession until his death, which occurred June 30, 
1861. 

Dr. Frederick William Heckel, Jr., was born February 2-1, 
1829, and began reading medicine with his father and Dr. Charles 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 685 

Fronefield, of Philadelphia. After attendiug lectures at the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania he was graduated from that institution 
April 7, 184:9, and thereafter spent one year in practice with his 
father. Then setting up for himself he continued in practice with 
increasing success until 1858, when he removed to his farm near 
Phcenixville, when he removed to East Vincent Township, and 
continued there to reside. In September, 1862, he was commis- 
sioned assistant surgeon in the Fifth Pennsylvania, and in Decem- 
ber following promoted to surgeon, and was ordered to take 
charge of the medical department of the One Hundred and Sixty- 
fifth Pennsylvania Kegiment, with which he served until it wa.s 
mustered out. He has been always unusually successful as a 
physician, and highly respected as a citizen and as a man. 

Dr. Eoger Davis was born in Charlestown Township, October 
2, 1762, and pursued his medical studies under the direction of Dr. 
Duffield of Philadelphia, afterward taking three full courses of 
lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, though he took no 
degree. From 1785 to his death, which occurred November 20, 
1815, he continued the practice of medicine in his native town- 
ship, with gratifying success. 

Dr. Samuel Kennedy, one of Chester County's early physi- 
cians, and one of its most sterling patriots during the Revolu- 
tionary War, was descended from the Kennedys of Ayrshire, 
Scotland. On January 3, 1776, he offered his services as a sur- 
geon to the C\)ntinental C<mgress, and on the 19th of tJie same 
month it was resolved in Committee of Safety that he be ap- 
pointed surgeon to the Fourth Battalion of Pennsylvania troops 
in the service of the United Colonies. In May, 1777, he was ap- 
pointed senior surgeon in the military hospitals, and in November 
following he was appointed senior surgeon and physician in the 
General Hospital of the Middle Department. 

The general hospital had been erected at the Yellow Springs, 
on which property the American army was quartered for a time, 



686 CHESTER COUNTY 

while the British occupied his homestead in the Great Valley, the 
occupation by the one being equally with that of the other. Dr. 
Kennedy went with Wayne to Long Island, was at Ticonderoga, 
and on the borders of Canada. He was also at the battle of the 
Brandywiue, and of GeiTuantown, and superintended the hospital 
at Bethlehem. For his invaluable services he received nothing ■ 
from the public treasury. In his will he bequeathed a sum of 
money to be expended in the building of a stone wall around the 
graveyard of Charlestown Meeting-house, whei*e a neat monument 
commemorates his virtues and his services. His death occurred 
June 17, 177S, in tJie forty-eighth year of his age. , 

Dr. Thomas Kuston Kennedy, son of the above, was born in 
Chester County in 1763, studied medicine under Dr. Morgan of 
Philadelphia, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. 
By Governor Mifflin he was appointed surgeon of Major Denny's 
battalion which was to relieve the garrison at Le Boeuf, near Lake 
Erie, the appointment being made November 17, 179'4. He was 
subsequently surgeon to the troops under charge of Andrew Elli- 
cott, who constructed a fort at Presque Isle (Erie), and whose 
daughter Dr. Kennedy married. When Crawford County was or- 
ganized in 1800 he was appointed prothonotary and clerk of the 
courts, and died in Meadville, March 24, 1813. 

Dr. Thomas Kennedy was born in Wallace Township, Chester 
Count}', then, however, a part of Nantmeal Township, in IIGC). 
Having attained his majority he began the study of medicine with 
Dr. Harris of Indiantown and graduated from the University of 
Pennsylvania. Entering upon the practice of his profession in his 
native township, he became in 1797 the successor of his preceptor, 
Dr. Harris. He had a large practice, and was strongly opposed 
to amputation whenever there was a chance of saving the limb. 
He died in April, 1814. 

Dr. John Kennedy was born in Baltimore February 13, 1800. 
Having graduated from the University of Maryland in 1820, he 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 687 

became resident physician of the Baltimore City Hospital, and in 
February, 1822, located in Oxford, Chester County, where he rap- 
idly acquired an extensive practice and rose to deserved eminence 
in his profession. He was a charter member of the Chester 
County Medical Society, organized June 7, 1828, and which was 
the first institution of the kind in the State. He died May 28, 
1838. 

Dr. William Darlington, LL. D., one of the most noted physi- 
cians and citizens of Chester County, widely known as a botani.st. 
was the first student to graduate from the Medical Department « f 
the University of Pennsylvania. While he gave much time to 
the practice of his profession, yet he gave more of it to botanical 
research. In 1826 he published his "Cestrica," and in 1847 his 
"Agricultural Botany." He also published many papers upon the 
science of botany, and served in the Fourteenth, Sixteenth and 
Seventeenth Congresses, and was always an active man. His death 
occurred April 23, 1863, and a monument erected to his memory 
bears the following inscription, written by himself twenty years 
before his death: 

"The plants of Chester Avhich he loved and described. 
May they bloom forever above his tomb." 

At a meeting held April 22, 1898, Dr. William T. Sharpless 
spoke in part as follows, concerning the effect of Dr. Darling-ton's 
life on the people of Chester County: 

Dr. William Goodell, who once practiced medicine in West 
Chester, and who afterward became an eminent professor of a 
branch of surgery in the University of Pennsylvania, a man of 
great skill, fine scholai-ship and wide expei-ience with the world, 
says in his book published in 1887: "I once knew a man, a mem- 
ber of our profession, a general scientist and withal a great bot- 
anist, who so molded the tastes of his fellow townsmen that there 
is, I venture to assert, no other town in this country- which in pro- 
40 



688 CHESTER COUNTY 

portion to the number of its inhabitants contains so many excel- 
lent botanists, geologists, mineralogists, conchologists and ento- 
mologists. Few farmers in that county have not had a liberal edu- 
cation, and scores there are who can show a well arranged hortus 
siccus or give the botanical names of the indigenous plants and 
weeds. The town in which he lived has at this moment more suc- 
cessful schools, normal, public and private, than any other of its 
size in the United States." 

Dr. John Bowen Brinton, one of the most distinguished physi- 
cians of his day, was born in East. Bradford Township, Chester 
County, on the banks of the Brandywine, in 1804, and graduated 
from Jefferson Medical College in 1825, and also from the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania, 1826. His preceptor was the celebrated sur- 
geon. Dr. George McClellan, father of Gen. George B. McClellan. 
Almost immediately after his graduation he located in West Ches- 
ter, and there practiced his profession until his death, which oc- 
curred October 13, 1881, when he was seventy-seven years of age. 
"His urbanity and professional skill, ere the lapse of many years, 
enabled him to rank among the prominent physicians of the county. 
The bent of his mind was in the direction of surgery, and he be- 
came well and widely known for his skill in surgical operations. 
During his professional career he performed many difficult and 
highly important operations previous to the introduction of anajs- 
thetics. At that time, however, the patient was frequently stupe- 
fied with laudanum." 

Dr. Brinton was devotedly attached to his profession, and he 
was scrupulously observant of its ethical code. He was one of the 
founders of the Chester County Medical ^Society, and remained 
deeply interested in its proceedings until advancing age com- 
pelled that interest to decay. His death occurred, as above stated, 
October 13, 1881, and his loss was deeply felt not only by his 
immediate relatives and friends, but also by the profession itself. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 689 

Dr. William B. Rrinton Avas born November 30, 1842, in West 
Chester, was educated in Wyer's Academy and afterward at the 
University of Pennsylvania, graduating with honors from the 
latter institution. From this time on until his deatJi he success- 
fully followed his practice in medicine until his death, which oc- 
curred March 7, 1883. The cause of his death was determined 
by his i^hysicians to have been uriemia of the most positive kind, 
his system being weakened by overwork in his profession, to which 
he was much attached. Dr. Brintou was appointed assistant sur- 
geon of the Fourth Eegiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, on March 
14, 1863, and was transferred to the One Hundred and Eighty- 
fourth Pennsylvania Regiment March 3, 1864. He was mustered 
out with this regiment July 14, 1865. In 1881 he succeeded his 
father as physician of the Chester County prison, the vacancy be- 
ing occasioned by his father's death. Dr. William B. Brinton mar- 
ried a daughter of Judge J. Smith Futhey, and by her had two 
children. 

Dr. Isaac Hayes, known all over the world as a famed Arctic 
explorer, wa.s born in Chester County, March 5, 1832. After re- 
ceiving his education at the public and private schools of the 
county, and at the ATesttowu Boarding School, he entered the 
University of Pennsylvania, graduating from that institution 
in 1853. Soon after graduating he accompanied Dr. E. K. Kane 
on his Arctic expedition as surgeon, and in 1860 started with an 
expedition of his own to the polar regions, being absent about 
a year and a half. In these northern regions he reached a point 
within 480 miles of the North Pole, which was a point further 
north than had previously been reached. For this distinguishing 
feat he received gold medals from the leading societies of the 
world, besides numerous decorations. He became a surgeon of 
United States volunteers, with the rank of major and brevet rank 
of colonel, and he built and commanded until the close of the 
war the army hospital at West Philadelphia, capable of accommo- 
dating 4,000 patients. 



-690 CHESTER COUNTY 

Dr. Jacob l{ickabaiigli was boru iu Chester County, February 
6, 1815, read medicine with Dr. James Francis Latta of TredyiSrin 
and attended lectures in the Medical Department of the University 
of Pennsylvania, graduating from this institution in March, 1812. 
Then, immediately locating- at his old home in Tredyffriu Town- 
ship, he still remains there iu the practice of his profession. 

Dr. James Bayard Wood, once one of the prominent and hon- 
ored citizens and physicians of Chester County, was born in XeAv 
Castle County, Delaware, November 5, 1817. While his educa- 
tional advantages were only such as were afforded by the common 
schools of the day, yet through persistent private study he ac- 
quired much useful learning, and it was during the period from 
1849 to 1853, while he was postmaster at West Chester, he studied 
medicine, graduating from the Homeopathic Medical College of 
Pennsylvania, in March, 1851, from which time on he devoted 
liis energies to the pi-actice of his profession, which was quite ex- 
tensive and in which he was unusually successful. He was presi- 
dent of the Chester County and the State Homeopathic Medical So- 
-cieties, and in civil life was highly honored. It was through the 
instrumentality of Dr. Wood that in 1877 the present enduring 
monument was erected on the grounds of the "Paoli Massacre.'' 
His only son. Dr. Henry C. Wood, also practiced medicine in West 
Chester. 

Dr. William Dell Hartman was boru in Pikeland, Chester 
■County, December 24, 1817, and Avas educated by such teachers as 
Joseph C. Strode, Jonathan Cause and Anthony Bolmar, in the 
West Chester Academy, and later read medicine with Dr. Wilmer 
Worthiugton, and attended lectures at the University of Pennsyl- 
vania three full years, and then had to wait some months until he 
tame of age before he could graduate, his graduation occurring iu 
1839. Locating immediately iu Went Chester, he has been con- 
tinuously in practice since that time, a period of fifty-nine years. 

Dr. Ilartmau, outside of his regular practice, is one of tlie dis- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 6gi 

tingiiished men of Chester Countr, having by his own exertions 
made himself known as a scientist in all parts of the civilized 
world. He has given great attention to the conchology of Chester 
County, to herpitology, to ichthyology, to ornitiiology and ento- 
mology, pnd his publications on these subjects are numerous 
and valuable. Among these works may be mentioned Biblio- 
graphic and Synonimic Catalogue of the Genus Partula, and also 
a Bibliographic and Synonimic Catalogue of the Genus Auricu- 
lella, and also a paper on a new species of Partula. 

Dr. I. D. Johusou, homeopathic physician of Kennett Square, 
was born at Elkview, August 10, 1827, and began the study of 
medicine with Dr. C. Harlan of Wilmington, Delaware. In 1852 
he graduated from Hahnemann Medical College at Pliiladelphia 
and practiced medicine one year between West Grove and Jenners- 
ville, and one year in Wilmington, locating in Kennett Square in 
1855, wJiere he has been engaged in practice ever since. His 
"Therapeutic Key" is largely used as a text-book in colleges in 
the United States and in Europe; his "Homeopathic Guide" has 
been translated into German and French, and his "Counsel to 
Pareuts" is largely used and is dedicated to the National Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union. 

Dr. Morris Hughes, homeopathic physician of Kennett Square, 
was born in Marshallton in 1854. Receiving his elemental^ and 
higher education in the public schools and in Eaton Academy iu 
Kennett Square, he then attended Hahnemann Medical College at 
Philadeli^hia, graduating in 1884. After practicing medicine one 
year in Philadelphia with Dr. Middleton, he located in Kennett 
Square in 1885, and has been there ever since. 

Dr. H. Graham, homeopathic physician of Kennett Square,, 
was born in Chester County in 1852. He was educated at Cam- 
bridge, Massachusetts, and attended Hahnemann Medical College 
in Philadelphia, graduating in 1891. Then locating in Kennett 
Square, lie has been engaged there iu the practice of his profession 



692 CHESTER COUNTY 

ever siiue, with the exception of two rears, 1894 aud 1895, speut 
iu Oliio. 

Dr. Levi Hoopes, liomeopatliio physician of West Chester, was 
born iu Chester Count}' in 1812, -nas educated iu private schools 
mainly, and graduated from Hahnemann Medical College of Phila- 
delphia in March, 1871. On June 1, 1871, he located iu Pottstown, 
remaining there iu the practice six years. Removing then to 
Downingtown, he was there engaged iu the practice of his pro- 
fessitm ten and a half years, and removed to West Chester Janu- 
ary 5, 1888, wliere he has since been engaged iu practice. At the 
present time he is surgeon for the Pennsylvania. Railroad Company. 

Dr. Charles Rees Palmer was born iu West Chester July 10, 
1870, was educated iu the public schools of that place, in the West 
Chester State Normal School, attended the biological department 
of the University of Pennsylvania, aud graduated from Hahne- 
mann Medical College of Philadelphia April 19, 1893. Immedi- 
ately afterward he located in ^Vest Chester, where he has since 
been engaged in the general practice of medicine. 

Dr. S. A. Mullin was born in Downingtown iu 1857, was edu- 
cated in the public schools of that place, at Long's Academy of 
Downingtown, and graduated from Hahnemann Medical College 
of Philadelphia in 1880. Since then he has been engaged iu the 
general practice of medicine in West Chester. He is a member 
of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Chester, Delaware and 
Montgomei-y Counties, aud also of the Homeopathic Medical Coun- 
cil of Philadelphia. 

Dr. Joseiih E. Jones was born iu West Chester iu 1832, was 
educated at the University of Lewisburg, now the Buckuell Uni- 
versity*, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania iu 
1850. Then, after spending a year as resident physician at the 
Alms House in Philadelphia, he entered Hahnemann Medical Col- 
lege of that city, aud graduated therefrom in 1859. Since that 
time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession iu West 
Chester. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 693 

Albert ^A'eeks, M. D., read mediciue with Dr. D. D. Kicliardsou, 
tlieu of Pliiladelpliia, and graduated from the Jefferson Medical 
College of Philadelphia in ISSO. Then becoming assistant physi- 
cian in the insane department of the Philadelphia Hospital, he 
remained there until April 1, 1882, when he removed to Phcenix- 
ville, opened an office and has been engaged in the practice of 
his profession there ever since, with more than ordinary success, 
owing to his superior and knowledge and skill. 

Percy C. Hoskins, M. D., was born in East Goshen Township, 
Chester County, December 17, 1852. Having been educated in 
West Chester Academy and the State Normal School at AVest Ches- 
ter, he read medicine with his father. Dr. John K. Hoskins, who 
was engaged in practice first at Sugartown, and later at. East 
Goshen, but who removed to West Chester in 1877, remaining 
there in practice until his death in 1884. Dr. Percy C. Hoskins 
completed his medical education at Jefferson Medical College of 
Philadelphia, graduating therefrom March 13, 1875, and imme- 
diately opened an office at East Goshen; but in 1883 he removed to 
West Chester, and has since been engaged in practice there. 

Frank D. Emack, M. I)., received his literary education at Co- 
lumbia College at Washington, D. C, and graduated from the Medi- 
cal Department of the University of Maryland in 1875. Almost 
immediately afterward he was appointed resident physician of 
the Bay View Asylum of Baltimore, resigning shortly afterward 
to locate in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Kemoving to 
Phoenixville in 1881 he soon acquired a large and active practice. 
He is a member of the Chester County Medical Society and of the 
American Medical Society, and his standing among physicians is 
deserveilly high. 

G. 1). Armstrong, M. D., one of the prominent physicians of 
Chester County, graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1839, 
having previously read medicine with Dr. H. F. Askew of Wil- 
mington, Delaware. He began practice at New London, Chester 



694 CHESTER COUNTY 

County, at which place he has been ever since engaged in a large 
and successful practice. 

Charles S. Homing, M. D., began the study of medicine in the 
office of Dr. Thomas L. Pratt of Norristown. After he entered the 
Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating from 
that institution in the spring of 1881. Beginning practice at 
Phoenisville, he remained there until 188(3, when he removed to 
Shannonville, Montgomery County, but still continuing his prac- 
tice in Phoenixville. 

James Kea Maxwell, M. D., began the study of medicine in the 
office of Dr. John B. Maiijn, at Bart, Lancaster Countj', and after- 
ward entered Jeiferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from 
which institution he gi'aduated in 1888. He immediately located 
at Parkesburg, where he has since continued in practice, and 
where he is deservedly popular. He is a member of the Chester 
Countj' Medical Society. 

Charles E. Woodward, M. D., was born at Marshallton, Chester 
County, January 8, 1846. Having received a liberal education 
at the Westtown Boarding School, he attended the College of Phar- 
macy of Philadelphia, graduating therefrom in 1867. In 1872 he 
entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, from which he graduated in 1874. Immediately he located 
in West Chester, where he has siuce been actively engaged in the 
practice of his profession, is no^A- a member of the United States 
Pension Examining Board that meets at Malvern, the other mem- 
bers of the board beiug Dr. Swizer and Dr. I. K. Evans. 

Dr. Sujnner Stebbins, who died July 12, 1884, was one of the 
prominent men of Chester County. Born in 1809, his boyhood 
was passed in a manner commou to boys of that day. After a 
careful schooling he entered upon the study of medicine, and as a 
physician ranked second to none in the county. For several years 
prior to his death he lived a retired life, but many of the older 
citizens yet remember his manv acts of mercv and kindness. In all 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 695 

matters he was a man of advanced ideas, being no less prominent 
in public than in social life, the temperance cause finding in him a 
warm advocate, and his influence in this direction was widely felt. 

During the fifties he removed to Iowa, and there read law, but 
never practiced that profession to any great extent. After a time 
he removed to Michigan, where he achieved considerable promi- 
nence as editor of the Marshall Statesman, and in 1860 he re- 
turned to Chester County, resuming the practice of medicine, his 
home being in Unionville. Dr. Stebbins was a man of rare attain- 
ments and left the impress of his character for good upon the 
people of the county and was highly respected by all with whom 
he came in contact. He married Mary Ann Pierce, by whom he 
four sons and one daughter. 

Dr. Edward Penn Worrall, formerly one of the prominent 
dentists of Chester County, was born in Baltimore, Md., July 14, 
1S20, and died in West Chester on his birthday, 1880. After the 
death of his mother, when he was yet a lad, he went to \\\e with 
his grandparents in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and was edu- 
cated at Westtown, Chester County. He studied dentistry in 
Philadelphia, and there practiced his profession, and was the first 
to administer ether in that city or in West Chester. In Phila- 
delphia he married Miss Sarah Foster, a native of Baltimore, and 
located in West Ckester in 1847, residing there until his death. 

Dr. Worrall was a Christian in spirit and in deed, a great 
reader, an ever earnest student, and his writings for the press on 
religious and other subjects were widely read and as widely ap- 
proved. For many years he prepared lessons for Sunday-schools. 
Accumulating considerable property, he believed that half what 
he earned should be bestowed to charity, and this idea he carried 
out to the end. He and his wife were the parents of five children, 
Thomas being the only one now living. Few better men have ever 
lived than Dr. Edward Penn Worrall. 

Septimus Augustus Ogier, M. D., born in Charleston, South 



696 CHESTER COUNTY 

Carolina, September 17, 1821, was the seveutli child of Thomas ■ 
and Sarah Ogier, of Hngnenot extraction, the family being forced 
to flee from France during the reign of Charles IX. In 1810 he 
began reading medicine with liis brother, Dr. Thomas Louis Ogier, 
in Charleston, and in 1812 he graduated from the State Medical 
College of South Carolina, at Charleston. In 1813 he entered 
Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, graduating from that 
institution in 1811. In ISlfi he settled in Philadelphia and en- 
gaged in the business of an apotliecary, but this business not 
being suited to his tastes he removed to Glenloch, then called 
"The Steamboat,"' and succeeded Dr. Stephen Harris in the prai-- 
tice of medicine in 1810. Dr. Ogier was one of those physicians 
who ]U'actice in part at least for the love of doing good, and was 
always at the post of duty, whether in the htimble home of tUe 
poor or in the mansion of the rich. He soon became a member of 
the Chester County Medical Society, was its president one year, 
and (»n several occasions represented it in State and National As- 
sociations. In 18.j(i he was elected one of the secretaries of the 
Pennsylvania State Medical Society, an<l so remained until his 
death, which occurred in East Whiteland Townslii]) November 
2(\ 1857. 

Dr. ^^'illiam Brower, an eminent physician of Chester County, 
was born in East Coventry Township, February 25, 1812. Having 
received his academic education at Oakdale and Freeland Sem- 
inaries he entered the Millershurg State Normal School in 18(i2 
and left there in 18()3 as a member of the senior class. After read- 
ing medicine with Dr. A. K. Savidge of Parker Ford, he entered 
Jefferson Medical (\»llege, graduating therefrom March 9, 18G7, 
and immediately after'\\ard located at Spring City, Chester County, 
where he has since been actively and successfully engaged in 
the practice of his profession. lie is an affable and agreeable gen- 
tleman, and is well versed in the principles of medicine, and is 
skillful in his practice. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 697 

Dr. Notman Catauaeli was boru iu Philadelphia iu 1S72, was 
educated at the Episcopal Academy iu Philadelphia, and pro- 
fessioually at Jeffersou Medical College, graduatiuo- from this lat- 
ter iustitutiou in 189G. After a j^ear's practice iu Jeffersou hospi- 
tal he located in West Chester, where he is now engaged in general 
practice. 

Dr. Wilhelmina T. Nelson, a native of Ehode Island, was edu- 
cated first at Mount Holyoke Semiuar^', graduating from tJiis 
institution iu 1871, taught school ten years, and graduated from 
the Womau's Medical College of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia in 
1891. Then locating in West Chester, she has been since engaged 
iu tlie general practice of her profession. 

Dr. Mary B. Cheyney was educated at the Woman's Medical 
College of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, graduating with the 
class of 1885, and located in West Chester iu 188G, where she has 
since been engaged in general practice. 

Dr. H. U. Umstad of Phceuixville was boru iu Lower Provi- 
dence Township in 1828. Having been educated at Xon-istown 
Seminaiw and at the Jefferson Medical College, graduating from 
the latter institution in 1851, he immediately began practice in 
the vicinity of Phceuixville, removing into the city of Phceuixville 
iu 1887. Here he has been engaged in practice ever since./ 

Dr. George B. II. Umstad, son of the above, was educated at 
Ursiuus College and at Jefferson Medical College, graduating from 
this iustitutiou iu 1888. Since then he has been engaged in prac- 
tice iu Phoeuixville and its vicinity. 

Dr. I. Z. Colfman was at one time one of the most promineuL 
physicians in Chester County. He began practice iu Phceuixville 
more than fifty years ago. He was born in 1805, and at his death 
was eighty-seven years of age, and at this time was the oldest 
graduate of the Universitv of Pennsylvania. 

Dr. K. C. Sharp of Atglen was born in Weymouth, England, 
<-oming to the United States when six weeks old. He read niedi- 



698 CHESTER COUNTY 

cine with Dr. J. D. Schoales, then graduated from the Philadelphia 
College of Pharmacy, and later from Jefferson Medical College 
in 1881. Locating immediately in Atglen, he has been there en- 
gaged in the practice of his profession ever since. 

Dr. E. Y. Swing of Coate,sville was born in Pittsgrove, New 
Jersey, Febrnary 2(5, 1840. His education was received in tlie 
public schools and under a private tutor, and then, teaching four 
years and reading medicine meauAvhile, he afterward attended 
the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated from that institu- 
tion March 14, 1807. Locating in Compassville, he practiced there 
fifteen years, and removed to Coatesville in 1882, and has been 
there ever since. He is a member of the American Medical So- 
ciety. 

Dr. Ida V. IJeel of Coatesville graduated from the Woman's 
Medical College of Philadelphia, and was afterward in Norristown 
as a physician in the State Asylum for the Insane for some time^ 
locating in Coatesville in 1880, and has been there engaged in 
practice ever since. 

Dr. S. H. Scott of Coatesville was born in Chester County in 
186.5. After reading medicine at Coatesville he attended Jefferson 
Medical College, graduating therefrom .in 1889. Ever since then 
he has been engaged in practice in Coatesville. 

Dr. D. P. Rettew of Coatesville graduated from the University 
of Pennsylvania in 1890, locating in Coatesville that year. After 
being relief surgeon for two years he returned to Coatesville in 
1894, and has been there ever since. 

Dr. .J. W. Pratt, liomeopathic surgeon, of Coatesville, was born 
in Cliester County in 1850, was educated at the public schools of 
Coatesville, took a commercial course at Poughkeepsie, and gradu- 
ated from tlie Hahnemann Medical College in 1873. After prac- 
ticing in DoAvningtown from May 11, 187.3, to August, 1876, he 
removed to Coatesville, and has been there ever since. 

Dr. H. E. Williams, homeopathic physician, of Coatesville^ 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 699 

.graduated from Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia in 
1868, and has been in practice in Coatesville since that time. 

Di'. George E. Spratt was boni in Northumberland County, 
Pennsylvania, in 1839, graduated in 1864 from the University of 
Pennsylvania, and was second assistant surgeon of the Forty- 
ninth Pennsylvania Eegiment during the rest of the war, being 
mustered out as surgeon. After practicing at Corry, Pennsyl- 
vania, for a couple of years, he removed to Chautauqua Countj', 
New York, and remained there in practice for si.x years. In 1873 
he removed to Coatesville and has been there engaged in the 
practice of medicine ever since. 

Dr. John Ivison was born in Philadelphia July 16, 1847, was 
educated in the public schools and the high schools of that city, 
and then, entering the University of Pennsylvania, he graduated 
from that institution in 1874. From that time until 1889 he prac- 
ticed in Philadelphia, aud then removing to Coatesville, he has 
been there ever since. 

Dr. Edward Kerr of East Downingtown was born in Ea.st 
Bradford, Chester County, November 16, 1868. After receiving 
his literary education at the Normal School at West Chester he 
attended the University of Pennsylvania, from which he grad- 
uated in 1890. Ever since then he has been engaged in the prac- 
tice of medicine in Downingtown. 

Dr. James Stuart Leech of Downingtown was born in Har- 
risburg, December 11, 1812, graduated from Jefferson College at 
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1836, aud from Jefferson Medical 
College at Philadelphia in 1841. Immediately afterward he lo- 
cated in Downingtown, where he has been ever since engaged in 
the practice of his profession, though in 1841, after establishing 
himself in the regular practice, he read homeopathy and has since 
practiced that system of medicine. 

Isaac Massey, M. D., was one of the most successful and popu- 
lar practitioners of Chester County. Born in West Goshen Tott n- 



700 CHESTER COUNTY 

ship, be Avas to all intents and purposes a native of West Chester, 
which place was his home from the close of the war. He was a 
son of John and Jemima (Garrett) Massey, was born Febrnarv 
15, 1838, and was of English ancestry. His grandfather, Israel 
Massey, was a lifelong resident of Valley Forge, and owned tlie 
land upon which were located the headquarters of General Wash- 
ington while at that celebrated camping ground with his Ooq- 
tiuental Army. John Massey, father of Dr. Isaac Massey, was 
born at Valley Forge in 1798, and die<l while a resident of West 
Chester in 1893, at the age of ninety-five. His wife, Jemima 
Garrett, was born in 1800, and died in 1883. 

Dr. Isaac Massej' was educated at Ercildouu and Norristown 
Academies. In 1859 he became professor of English and higher 
mathematics in the William F. Myers Academy, West Chester, 
holding this position five terms. In the meantime he read medicine 
preparatory to a regular course of study at Jefferson Medical Col- 
lege, from which institution he graduated in 1864. Then, becoming 
assistant surgeon in the army of the United States, he served in 
this capacity until the close of the war. Returning then to West 
Chester he opened an office, and there he ever afterward remained 
in the successful practice of his profession. He was a member of 
the Chester County Medical Society, of tlie College of Physicians 
and Surgeons in Philadelphia, and of the Pennsylvania State Medi- 
cal Association. For the last ten years of his life he was physician 
to the Westtown Boarding School, and he was a member of the 
Board of Health of West Chester. For several years he served as 
physician and surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company 
and for the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad 
Company at West Chester, and from 1873 to 1890 he was a member 
of the West Chester Borough School Board, in that i)Osition having 
much to do A\itli building up the excellent school system of which 
West Chester is justly proud. From 1881 to 1883 he was a member 
of the board of trustees of the State Xormal School at West 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 701 

Chester, and be was a director in tbe Dime Savinos Bank froia 
the beginniuji of its eareer. But the institution in which lie toolc 
especial pride was the Boys' House of Eefuge at Glen Mills. He 
was a member of (General Georoe A. McCall Post, No. 31, G. A. II., 
and also of the Union League, Philadelphia. 

Belonging to that class of physicians who practice largely for 
the love of the i)rofessiou and the good they can do, often with full 
knowledge that there is no possibility of pecuniary compensation 
for their labors, and being cme of the most kind-hearted of men, he 
was highly regarded by all who knew him, and was devoutly loved 
bj' those who had intimate knowledge of his character and career. 
His death occuri'ed suddenly of apoplexy while on a visit to a 
patient at the 8tate Normal School, on January 31, 1898, which 
caused a great shock to the community and especially to his rela- 
tives and intimate friends. 

Dr. Thomas D. Dunn, one of the most popular physicians of 
West Chester, died in that city as the result of an accident wiih 
which he met at Westtown about two months previously, May (i, 
1898. He was born in CVawford County, Pennsylvania, January 
30, 1855, and was of Scotch ancestry, his paternal great-grand- 
father coming to the country from Scotland and settling in XeAV 
Jersey. His parents were Rev. Thomas H. Dunn, a Seventh-Day 
Baptist preacher, and Diantha M. Curtis, a daughter of Miles 
Curtis of NeAV York. 

Dr. Thomas D. Dunn entered the office of Dr. Jacob Price of 
West Chester, later entering the Medical Department of the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1881. Imme- 
diately afterward he entered the University Hospital as resident 
physician, serving one year, and then spent six months at the Chil- 
dren's Hospital in Philadelphia. Then, settling in West Chester, 
he was continuously in pi-actice there until his death. He shared 
the office of Dr. Jacob Price on South Church Street, the latter 
having everv confidence in his judgment, and knowing him to be an 



702 CHESTER COUNTY 

excellent physician and siirsieon, in Avbich capacities he was for 
years in great demand. Dr. Dunn was frequently called upon to 
give expert testimony in the county courts, and in tlie courts of 
other counties of the State, and it was to him, perhaps, more than 
to any other man that the Chester County Hospital became an 
established success, and it was at this hospital that he died, and 
-at the time of his death lie was president of its medical staff. He 
was a member of the Philadelphia Pathological Society, the Col- 
lege of Physicians of Philadelphia and of the Pennsylvania State 
Medical Society, and during the first year of President Han-ison's 
administration he Avas appointed one of the Board of Examiners 
of applicants for pensions, Dr. Woodward and Dr. Patrick of 
West Chester being the other two. During the four years of his 
sen-ice he gave excellent satisfaction. 

Dr. Jacob Price, born in East Bradford, Chester County, in 
1826, is a son of Benjamin and Jane (Paxson) Price, the former 
of whom was a son of Philip Price, founder of Price's Boarding 
School for Gii-ls, at which school many a Chester County girl was 
educated. Dr. Price was educated in the Friends' School in West 
Chester, and at the academy of John Gummere in New Jersey, 
John Gummere being an eminent mathematician of the day in 
which he lived. Engaging next in a survey of New Castle County, 
Delaw-are, he made a map of that county, and later of the State 
of Delaware, by which means he earned the money to pay his 
expenses while piu'suing the study of medicine. Entering Jeifer- 
son Medical College in the fall of 1848, he graduated from that insti- 
tution in September, 1850, and then locating in West Chester he 
has ever since been engaged in the practice of both medicine and 
surgery. At first he purchased the house at the southwest comer 
of South Church and Miner Streets, which he occupied until 1863, 
and then purchased the property at No. Ill South Church Street, 
fonnerly owned by Dr. Wilmer Worthington. Here he resided 
and had his office until 1885, when he sold his residence to Dr. 



Ml 




^-^llxA ^/CC^^^ 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 703 

Dunn, noAV deceased, aud removed to a farm in the south corner 
of the borough of ~\^'est Chester, where he still resides, retaiiilnj» 
his office at No. 114 South Church Street. Dr. Price is still actively 
engage<l in the practice of his profession. 

Since 18.50 he has been a member of the Chester County Medi- 
cal Society, and has been twice vice-president of the Medical So- 
ciety of the State of Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the 
American Medical Association, and of the College of Physicians 
of Philadelphia. In 18.51 Dr. Price married Rachel L. Thomas, 
daughter of Col. Philip D. Thomas, who at one time represented 
Chester County in the Legislature of the State. 

Dr. Isaac A. Peunypacker, one of the early physicians of Ches- 
ter County, was born in Schuylkill Township, July 9, 1812, and was 
a son of Matthias and Sarah (Anderson) Peunypacker, the latter 
being a daughter of Isaac Anderson. Isaac A. Pennypacker read 
medicine with his uncle, Isaac Anderson, and also with Prof. Will- 
iam E. Horner, and graduated from tlie Medical Department of 
the University of Pennsylvania, March 26, 1835. In 1836 he estab- 
lished himself in the practice of medicine in Phcenixville, continu- 
ing to follow the profession until 1854, when he became Professor 
of the Practice of Medicine in the Philadelphia College of Medi- 
cine. 

In this professorship he displayed all the energy, manliness, 
integrity and sagacity which had previously distinguished him 
in his country practice, and as a professor as well as a man won 
the love and regard of his pupils to a high degree. In his manners 
he was mild and agreeable and in deportment affectionate and 
kind, and his wide and varied experience and reading of the best 
authorities fitted him admirably for the duties of life which he 
w' as called upon to perform. 

Dr. Nathan A. Pennypacker of Schuylkill Township was born 
October 20, 1835. During the war of the Eebellion he was captain 
-of Company K, Fourth Pennsylvania Reserves, and in 1865, 1866 
- 41 



704 CHESTER COUNTY 

and 1867 was elected to the Legislature of the State. In 1877 lie 
was one of the commissioners to erect the State Hospital for the 
Insane at Xorristown, and he also served as lieutenant-colonel 
on the staff of Governor Hoyt. His practice of medicine was car- 
ried on for many years successfully when not otherwise engaged. 
The history of dentistry- in Chester County is practically tbe 
same as in other counties in the State and in the cities throughout 
the country. Progress has been made sometimes slowly, and at 
other times sudden developments have come along to surprise 
and delight the profession and the public, by which the filling of 
teeth and the extraction of them when they could not be saved 
has been more successful and less painful. Among the very first 
dentists to visit the county was Dr. A. M. Freeman, or at least 
he was among the first to advertise in the local papers. This was 
in 1824. Dr. Freeman appears to have been located at Lancaster 
and to have visited West Chester, Wilmington, Delaware, and 
other places on his regular tours. There were two dentists in 
Philadelphia who advertised in the Chester County papers, one of 
whom was then recently from London, England, and who had a 
tooth powder that would almost instantly cure the toothache. 
The other cleaned teeth and blocked them. This dentist said in 
his advertisement that "if the teeth are not preserved by the above 
operations they will fall into a state of decay, unless the mouth 
is very large and the teeth grow irregularly.'' He also bnilt up 
teeth on stumps. Dr. Fi'eeman continued to visit Chester County 

as late as 1829. 

It is believed that the first resident dentist in West Chester 
was Dr. Jesse W. Cook, who came to the place in 1835, and avus 
a physician as well as a dentist. For some time subsequently he 
was president of the Young Ladies' Seminary, located where is 
now the Catholic School for Young Ladies. He left here about 
1839, first going to Baltimore, and then became instrumental in 
founding the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, in 1812 or 1813, in 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 70S 

Dr. S. Sherburne Smith came to the county about 183!^, and 
was a man of considerable note as an operator. 

Dr. Wilb'ara Whitehead, who studied dentistry with Dr. Smitli, 
began to practice in West Chester in 1840, and continued to follow 
his profession there many years. He was also prominent in many 
other ways, as in literature and in temperance work. 

About the same time came Dr. Mahlon J. Gallagher, who 
was for that age a first-class dentist. He remained in West Chester 
until 1S45. Besides dentistry he gave considerable attention to 
mechanics, and was somewhat of an inventor, inA'enting a self- 
priming hammer for the rifle and also a breech-loading rifle. 

Dr. Jesse Cope Green was one of his x)upils in 1842 and 1843. 
Dr. Green began tke practice of dentistry in West Chester in 
August, 1843, and has ever since been continuously engaged there, 
besides being engaged in multifarious other lines of mental activ- 
ity, believing that every man owes it to himself first to keep him- 
self busy about something useful to mankind. He received his 
degree of D. D. S. from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surger}' 
in Philadelphia in the year 18(!5, and was elected a member of 
the Pennsylvania Association of Dental Surgeons in 1855. He took 
an active part in effecting the organization of the Smte Dental 
Society in 1868, was treasurer thereof in 1880 and jiresident in 
1883. He held a membersliip in the American Dental Association, 
which was organized in 1850, for many years, and was active in 
forming the first national convention of dentists in Philadelphia in 
1855. 

In 1876, upon the enactment of the law requiring the organiza- 
tion of a State Dental Examining Board, Dr. Green was made sec- 
retary, a position which he has filled ever since. While the limits 
of this sketch preclude inentiou of almost everything else con- 
nected with Dr. Green's career, yet it must be stated that since 
1855 he has been a volunteer observer of meteorological phenom- 
ena for the Smithsonian Institution, and also for the Weather 



7o6 cm ESTER COUXTY 

Bureau at Wasbiugton since its establirsliment, and also for tlie 
State Weather Service since its establishment in 1887. 

Dr. William Smedlej graduated at the Pennsylvania College 
of Dental Surgery and located in West Chester about 1866. There 
he practiced six years, when he went to Denver for the benefit of his 
health and is living there at the present time. 

Dr. Joseph Eldridge succeeded Dr. Smedley in 1872, pui-chas- 
ing his professional business, remained in practice in West Chester 
until 1882, when he sold out to Dr. Justin E. Harlan, son of State 
Senator Harlan, and who continued in practice in West Chester 
until 1897, when he went to China for the purpose of pursuing 
his profession there, returning, however, to West Chester early in 
1898, and is there now engaged in successful practice. 

Dr. John M. Surgison followed Dr. Price, practiced in West 
Chester some time and then removed to Marietta, Ohio. 

Dr. J. Lewis Baker graduated from the Philadelphia Dental 
College in 1866, and soon afterAvard began tlie practice of dentistry 
in Coatesville, remaining there until 1881. Then going to Phila- 
delphia he was there one year, and located in West Chester in 1882 
and remained in practice until his death in 1889. 

Dr. Charles McCowan located in West Chester in 1882, having 
graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Dentistry in 1881. 
Eemaining in West Chester three or four years he then removed 
to Kichmond, Virginia, Avhere he remained a short time, and then 
returning to Chester County located in Malvern, where he re- 
mained until the death of Dr. Baker, when he immediately re- 
turned to West Chester, where he has since enjoyed the confidence 
of the public, and has a successful practice. 

Dr. Bobert M. Scott graduated from the Dental Department 
of the University of Pennnsylvania in 1883, and located in West 
Chester in 1883, going there from Gettysburg. He succeeded to 
the practice of Dr. Baker and has been unusually successful. 

Franklin Pierce Cobura graduated from the Pennsylvania 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 707 

Dental College in 1SS5, beginning- the practice of his profession in 
West Chester the same year. In West Chester he has continued 
to reside and practice dentistry ever since. In May, 18!)2, Dr. 
Coburu gave the fii*»t demonstration of local anaesthetics, by mean.s 
of hypodermic injections, as applied to dentisti-y, in Chester 
County, and in 1892 and 1893 he successfully demonstrated before 
the University of Maryland the value of local anieesthetics in the 
painless extraction of teeth. In 1894 and 1895 he was honored 
with a judgeship in the gold medal contest given by the University 
of Maryland to the student perfonning the best work in operative 
dentistry, and has met with unusual success. 

Dr. D. G. Snyder was born in Chester County in 1867, gradu- 
ated at the West Chester State Normal School in 1890, and from 
the Philadelphia Dental College in 1895. Locating in West Ches- 
ter this same year, he is still engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession in that place. 

Dr. John Anderson commenced the practice of dentistry 
at Kennett Squai'e about 1812, and was for years an unusually 
noted and successful practitioner, commencing life as a black- 
smith, he later acquired Icnowledge of dentistry, which seemed to 
be better suited to his tastes, and he therefore followed this pro- 
fession for many years with great success and popularity. 

Dr. Robert L. McClellan, a member of the noted McClellan 
family of Chester County, began the study of dentisti-y in April, 
1847, with Sharpless Clayton. After spending fifteen months in 
this way he became an assistant alternately with William PI. 
Thompson of Coatesville and Robert W. McKissick of Cochranville 
lintil the death of Dr. McKissick in the early part of 1851, when 
he began the practice of dentistrj- for himself. After being for 
some time in practice he attended lectui"es in dentistry and in 
tlie Philadelphia School of Anatomy, graduating from the Dental 
College with the degree of D. D. S., and returning to Cochranville 
for the practice of his profession. Dr. McClellan was successful 



708 CHESTER COUNTY 

not only in his profession, but also in politics, being a member 
of the lower house of the State Legislature during the years 18G2 
and 1863. 

Dr. George M. Yard came to West Chester from Philadelphia 
about 1843, was a fair dentist, and remained until 1849, when be 
went to California. For some time he was postmaster in West 
Chester. 

Dr. Chalkley M. Valentine was another student of Dr. Galla- 
gher, and located first in Coatesville in 1843. Kemoviug to West 
Chester in 1847 he remained there until his death in 1883. He was 
a; sou-iudaw of Joseph Painter. 

Dr. Elwood Penn Worrall located in West Chester in 184T 
and practiced dentistry until his death iu 1878. He was a good 
and successful practitioner, and was in other ways a promiueut 
citizen. 

Dr. Isaiah Pi'ice graduated about 1853 from the Philadelphia 
College of Dental Burgery. He practiced in Chester County until 
the breaking out of the war of the Eebellion, when he raised 
a company for the Ninety-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, became its major and was breveted colonel of United States 
volunteers. He was the husband of Lydia H. Price, a prominent 
minister among the Friends, and is now living iu Philadelphia, but 
is not in the practice of his profession. 

Dr. George G. Cardwell located in West Chester in 1860. He 
graduated from the Second Philadelphia College of Dental Sur- 
gery, and pursued a most successful career as dentist in Chester 
County until his death. May 1, 1898. He was Demonstrator of 
Dentistry duding the years 1895-96-97 in the Pennsylvania Dental 
College, and was well kuown and highly esteemed as a professional 
gentleman and citizen. 

Dr. Meta T. Haley, the only lady dentist in Chester County, is 
a native of Virginia, and graduated from the Pennsylvania College 
of Dental Surgery in 1892. In April, 1893, she opened an oflice 



AXD n\S PEOPLE. 709 

iu the Assembly building in West Chester, and has been in active 
practice ever since. In 1897 she was quiz master in the Penn- 
sylvania College in the Department of Operative Dentistry and 
Dental Physiology, and in 1898 she was Demonstrator of Opei*ative 
Dentistry in the same college. 

Dr. C. I. Reese 'was born iu Atgleu (then Penningtonville) Sep- 
tember 17, 1849, was educated at the public schools of Atglen and 
professionally at the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, grad- 
uating from the latter institution in 1S71. He inimediatel.y located 
in Atglen, and has been there engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession ever since. 

Dr. J. H. McClure of Coatesville was born in Chester County 
in 1860. He studied dentistry with Dr. J. L. Baker, and afterward 
attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with the 
class of 1881. Immediately locating in Coatesville, he has bfeen 
there engaged in practice ever since. 

Dr. Joseph Huggins, dentist of Downingtown, located there 
in 1897, immediately after graduating from the University of 
Pennsylvania. 

Dr. David Z. Sahler, dentist, of West Chester, was bora in 
West Whiteland, Chester County, was educated at the West Ches- 
ter State Normal School, and at the Pennsylvania College of Den- 
tal Surgery, graduating from tlie latter institution in 1887. Lo- 
cating immediately afterward in West Chester, he has since then 
been engaged there iu the practice of his profession. 

Dr. Wendell P. Lambora, dentist, of West Chester, was born in 
Newlin Township, Chester County, December 21, 18(52. Upon the 
home farm in that township he was reared, obtaining his educa- 
tion principally iu the public schools. Then he attended Edgefield 
Academy in Chester County two years, and entered the dental 
office of Frank P. Coburu of West Chester, and graduated from the 
Pennsylvania Dental College of Philadelphia February 26, 1888. 
In January, 1891, he located in West Chester, and has there suc- 
cessfully followed the profession of dentist ever .since. 



7IO CHESTER COUNTY 

Dr. F. Barnard, dentist, of Kennett Square, was born in Chester 
County, was educated in Chester and Lancaster Counties, and at- 
tended the Baltimore Dental College, and began practice in Ken- 
nett, in 1S79. Since then he has been continuously engaged there 
in the practice of his profession. 

Dr. E. L. Coffman, dentist, of Phoenixville, is a native of that 
city. He is a son of the late I. Z. Coffman, mention of whom is 
elsewhere made in this work. After learning the science and 
acquiring the art of dentistry he established himself in his pro- 
fession in Phoenixville, and has been there successfully engaged 
therein ever since. 

The Chester and Delaware County Dental Society was organ- 
ized at the house of Dr. Jesse C. Green, October 27, 1894, Dr. S. 
Blair Luckie of Chester, Delaware County, being made president; 
Dijt James L. Paish of Avondale, Chester County, vice-president; 
Dr. Meta T. Haley, of West Chester, secretary, and Dr. Harry 
Leedom Smedley, of Media, treasurer. The society meets in Janu- 
ary at Media, in April at Chester, and in October at West Chester, 
It has now twenty-five active members and three honorary mem- 
bers. The ofQcers of this society at the present time are as folloAvs: 
Dr. J. L. Paist, president; Dr. Ellen MacM array, secretary, and 
Dr. H. L. Smedley of Media, ti'easurer. 

Geoi'ge G. Groff, A. M., M. D., was born on the Welsh Tract, 
in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County, April 5, 1851. Until he 
reached his twenty-second year his home was on his father's farm, 
and he was educated at the public schools, at the Norristown Sem- 
inarj^ and at the West Chester State Normal School, at Michigan 
University and the Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, New 
York. He taught in the public schools, in the West Chester State 
Noiinal School, and since 1880 hasi been professor of Organic 
Science in Bucknell University at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He 
takes an interest in public affairs, has been coroner of his county 
and assistant surgeou in the Pennsylvania State National Guard, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 711 

He lias been a member of the State Board of Health since lS8fi, 
and of the State Board of Agriculture since 1889, and is now 
(1898) president of the State Board of Health. He is a member 
of the State Medical Council, and of the State Dental Council. 
He is autiior of a series of school physiologies and of numerous 
papers and pamphlets on hygiene and sanitary science. 

The Chester County Homeopathic Medical Society was or- 
ganized in West Chester, July 21, 1898, v.ith the following officers: 
President, Dr. H. E. Williams, of Coatesville; Vice-president, Dr. 
Hamilton Graham, of Kennett Square; Secretary, Dr. Charles U. 
Palmer, of West Chester; Treasurer, Dr. S. A. Mulliu, of West 
Chester, and Board of Censors, Drs. Hoopes, Taylor and Hughes. 
The new society meets bi-monthly. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

BANKING AND INSURANCE. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

BANKING AND INSURANCE NATIONAL BANK OF CHESTER COUNTY — THE 

UNITED STATES BANK THE BANKING LAW OF 1814 COMMISSIONERS 

CHARTERS STOCKHOLDERS — FORM OF NOTES — BUILDINGS CAPITAL 

AND LOANS — OFFICERS — EARLY liANKlNG METHODS — SKETCHES 
OF THE VARIOUS BANKS, NATIONAL AND PRIVATE, THROUGH- 
OUT THE COUNTY INSURANCE — COMPANIES — 

OFFICERS RISKS LOSSES, ETC. 

The National Bank of Chester County has a history of unusual 
interest. At the session of the Legislature of 1812-13 a movement 
was made to establish twenty-flve new banks in the State. The 
reason for this movement lay in the fact that the United States 
Bank in Philadelphia, the fate of which had been decided by the 
casting vote of Vice-President Clinton in the Senate of the United 
States, was about to wind up its affairs. The bill authorizing the 
establishment of these twenty-five new banks was passed by the 
House of Representatives of Pennsylvania by a vote of 43 to 42, 
and by the Senate by a vote of 14 to 13. Rev. John Gemmil, then 
the Senator from Chester County, and a Democrat, voted against 
the bill. On March 19, 1813, this bill was vetoed by the Governor. 
It did not provide for a bank in Chester County, no request having 
been made for one. The members of the lower house from Chester 
County, all DemocraJ:s, voted against the bill. 

At the next session of the Assembly a bill was passed entitled 
"An Act Regulating Banks," authorizing the establishment of 
forty-one new banks, one of which was to be in Chester County, al- 
though, curiously enough, no one had asked for it, and the mem- 
bers from this county in the lower house, John Harris, John Reed, 
Edward Darlington, James Brooke and James Hiudman, all Demo- 
crats, voted against the bill, which is all the more remarkable, as 
members of the Democratic Party hav^, throughout the entire his- 

715 



7i6 CHESTER COUNTY 

tory of the United States, been generally in favor of local as 
against national banks. On the 19th of the month (March, 1814), 
the Governor returned the bill with his objections; but it passed 
the Senate by a vote of 20 to 10 and the House by a vote of OG to 24, 
and became a law on the 21st of the month. 

The commissioners for taking the stock named in the act for 
the Bank of Chester County were Dr. William Darlington, John W. 
Cunningham, Jesse John, James Kelton, Joseph Taylor, Henry 
Chrisman, Matthew Stanley, and Joshua Evans, Jr. Henry Chris- 
man declining to serve, the Court of Cominou Pleas appointed 
Joseph Pearce to serve in his place. Books for subscription to tlie 
stock of the bank were opened June 8, 1814, at West Chester, 
Downingtown, Tredyffrin, New London, Cross Koads, and Cochran- 
ville, the commissioners distributing themselves among the several 
places named. A few persons promptly subscribed for as much 
of the stock as they could conveniently carry, but soon the subscrip- 
tions fell off, the people generally being somewhat shy of the i)ro- 
posed new institution. Up to near the tinie for subscriptions to 
close the indications were that the new institution would fail to 
have a career; but then Charles Bogers and Daniel Hiester came 
forward and each subscribed for 1,000 shares, which left but little 
of tlie stock to be taken, and that little was then quickly sul>- 
scribed. The bill provided for a capital stock of 4,500 shares at f oO 
per share, and as soon as the subscription books were closed the 
stock was immediately in demand. 

The charter was obtained August 2, 1814, and at a meeting of 
the stockholders held Se]>tember 8, 1814, thirteen directors were 
chosen, as follows: Jesse Mercer, Jesse John, Joseph Taylor, 
Charles Kogers, Daniel Hiester, Josejjh McClellan, James Ketou, 
Dr. William Darlington, John W. Townsend, Jesse Good, Isaac 
Dai'lington, Joshua Weaver and James Jefferis. The next day 
Joseph McClellan was chosen president and Daniel Hiester, 
cashier. Mr. Hiester then resigned as director of the bank, and 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 717 

Thomas Hoopes was appointed in his stead, liooms over tlie 
county ofiSces at the northwest corner of Market and High Streets 
were obtained, which were opened for business November 11, 1811. 
On November 21, 1811, the second board of directors was chosen 
as follows: Joseph McClellan, Jesse Mercer, Jesse John, Dr. 
William Darlington, Charles Rogers, David Dickey, Isaac Darling- 
ton, Jesse Good, Thomas Hoopes, Joseph Taylor, John W. Town- 
send, Thomas "N^'orth and David Towusend. 

At that time on account of the fact that West Chester was not 
widely known the directors thought it wise to state on the face of 
the circulating notes that the bank Avas "between Philadelphia 
and Lancaster,'' in order that holders might know where the bauk 
was located. The following is the form of the note first issued: 

THE ^ANK OF CHESTER COUNTS, 

TSetween Philadelphia and Lancaster, 5 

tq Promises to pay to bearer on demand § 

I FIVE DOLLARS. ^ 

IVest Chester, Penna. ^ 

DANIEL HIESTER, JOSEPH McCLELLAN, S! 

Cashur. President. 

On January 6, 1818, it was resolved to erect a banking-house 
and a committee previously appointed to select a site for the pro- 
posed building was directed to olfer William Towusend |500 for a 
lot forty feet front on Gay Street at the coi'uer of 'Walnut, asking 
for a positive answer within a week. On January 20, 1818, it was 
resolved to purchase a lot thirty feet front on High Street for |500, 
and on the 23d the committee produced a deed for the lot therein 
described, but for some reason the project was not carried out. On 
March 17, I8I8, it was ordered that the house and lot on High Street 
opposite the Court-house, belonging to Nathan H. Sharpless, be 
purchased for the use of the bank for |5,250, and the banking-house 
was fitted up at a cost of |1,12G.19, and Joseph McClellan, presi- 



71 8 CHESTER COUNTY 

dent of the bank, was allowed |250 for his wages for the year then 
closing. The bank was re-chartered March 22, 1824, and during the 
next few years the business of the institution was exceptionally 
good. So rapid indeed did the business increase that it became 
necessary to erect a new building, which was done about 183G, the 
funds for its erection coming out of the profits of the.^bank, whicli 
would otherwise under the law have been turned over to the State, 
as a dividend of more than six per cent, could not be declared. This 
building is a large and substantial one, built of Chester County 
marble, and having a noble Doric portico in front, there being four 
large fluted columns, four feet in diameter at the base and tapering 
to three feet at the top, and being twenty-five in height. The 
architect of this building was Thomas U. Walter of Philadelphia, 
one of the most noted architects so far produced by the United 
States. The cost of the building was about |30,000. To this build- 
ing the business of the bank was transferred in 1837. 

On May 30, 1843, the capital stock of the bank, which had then 
increased to $300,000, was reduced to |22.5,000, and the par value 
Aif the shares became |2.5. This reduction was made by deducting 
from the capital stock the following loans: Union Canal Loans, 
$25,000; Chesapeake & Delaware Canal Loans, $25,000; Susque- 
hanna & Tide-water Canal Loans, $35,000; Loans to individuals, 
$23,548.50; Loans to the State, $26,451.50; total, $135,000. 

On October 11, 18G4, Avhen it was in contemplation to change 
to a National bahk, Joel Hawley, Joseph Dowdall, and P. G. Carey, 
not holding suflicient stock to warrant them in retaining their 
positions as directors, resigned. And on October 14, 1864, a series 
of resolutions was adopted providing for the surrender of the State 
charter, which had been renewed in 1837 for fifteen years and in 
1852 for the same length of time, and organizing under the National 
Banking Law of 1863. The name of the bank then became the 
National Bank of Chester County, and the capital stock of the 
bank was fixed at $225,000, with authority to increase it to any 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 719 

amcmut uot to exceed |-l:50,000. The number of this bank among 
the Xational banks is 552, the certificate of authorization bearing 
tliis number being signed by Hugh McCulJough, October 25, 18()4. 
On November 1, following, P. P. Sharpless, Joseph DoAvdall, Will- 
iam Darlington and M. B. Hickman were appointed to fill vacan- 
cies in the board of directors occasioned by the resignations of 
others. The other membei's of the first board of directors of this 
as a National bank were as follows: John Marshall, Thomas S. 
Cox, Brinton Darlington, ^Yalter Hibbard, Samuel H. Hoopes, 
Eusebius FI. To^nsend, Dr. Isaac Thomas, Dr. George Thomas and 
William B. Waddell. 

Among the prominent men who were directors of the old Ches- 
ter County Bank were the following: William Darlington, who 
was the last survivor of the original board at the time of his death, 
April 23, 1863; Isaac Darlington, Joshua Weaver, William Wil- 
liamson, Isaac D. Barnard, W. H. Dillingham, Joseph Hemphill, 
Enoch Harlan and John Smith Futhey. 

The other members of the board of directors since the organi- 
zation of this as a Xational bank have been as follows: Lorenzo 
Beck, Henry P. Sharpless, Charles Fairlamb, Washington Town- 
send, Milton Conard, Kobert Neely, Francis .J. Darlington, H. T. 
Fairlamb, James Smith, M. Shaner Chrisman, William P. Marshall, 
J. Preston Thomas, Edwin James, TS'illiam F. Dowdall, Joshua E. 
Hibbard, William B. Sharpless, Thomas W. Marshall, G. Morris 
Phillips, D. M. McFarland, Thomas S. Chambers and Thomas 
Hoopes, the last eleven of whom constitute the boai'd at the present 
time, the number of directors having been reduced October 5, 1897, 
from thirteen to eleven. 

In 1871 the interior of the bank was entirely remodeled and 
ijew vaults put in, all at a cost of |10,048.73. In 1889 safety deposit 
vaults were put in at a cost of |15,223.G2, and in 1898 a new floor 
^\as laid, of iron joists and iron lining, in order to render the build- 
ing entirely fire-proof. 
42 



720 CHESTER COUNTY 

The presidents of this bauli since its organization have been 
as follows: 

Joseph McClellan, September 0, 1814, to November 25, 181 G, 
and from November 24, 1817, to November 22, 1819; James M. Gjb- 
bous. November 25, 1816, to November 24, 1817; Eiehard Thomas, 
Jr., November 22, 1819, until his death in Febrnary, 1830; Dr. 
William Darlington, Febrnary 23, 1830, until his death April 23. 
18G3; John Marshall, May 1, 1863, until his death June 22, 1873; 
Walter Hibbard, June 27, 1873, to his death July 31, 1879; Wash- 
ington Townsend, August 5, 1879, to his death March 18, 1894, and 
William P. Marshall, March 27, 1894, to the present time. 

The cashiers of the bank have been as follows: 

Daniel Hiester, September 9, 1814, to October 1, 1817; David 
Townsend, October 1, 1817, to April 10, 1849; Washington Town- 
send, April 10, 1849, to October 30, 1857; William W. Jefferis, Octo- 
ber 30, 1857, to June 12, 1883; Paul F. Whitehead, July 1, 1883, 
until his deatb, October 14, 1884, and I. Gary Oarver from Novem- 
ber 1, 1884, to the present time. 

The present charter of this bank will expire October 12, 1904. 

Methods of transacting banking business were in the early 
days quite different from those now in vogue. The directors of this 
bank, thirteeen in number, were selected in such manner as to 
give each part of the county a representation on the board, and 
these directors in coming from their homes to West Chester were 
entrusted with the money which their neighbors desired to deposit 
in the bank. When a depositor desired to use money in the trans- 
action of his business it was customary for him to withdraw it in 
specie or paper and pay it out direct to his creditor. The great 
advantages of the check system had not then dawned upon the 
minds of the people, whereas now from ninety to ninety-five pti 
cent of the transfers fi'om debtor to creditor, including the payment 
of foreign bills, that is, debts in Philadelphia, New York and other 
distant places, are paid by the debtor sending his personal check 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 721 

on his own bank. The deposits of this bank have steadily in 
creased, ther being in 1850 from .|215,000 to |250,0()0; in ISOO from 
1175,000 to 1247,000; in 1870 frcmi 1300,000 to |COO,0(IO; in 1800 
from 1430,000 to |645,000, and in 1898 from |750,000 to |950,000. 
Semi-annnal dividends have been declared by this bank as follows: 
From 1850 to 18G0, 5 to G per cent; 18G0 to 1890, G to 8 per cent 
and from 1890 to 1898, from 6 to 7 per cent. 

The First National Bank of West Chester had its origin in the 
following manner: On November 13, 18G3, the following-named 
gentlemen met in the banking-house of Brinton & Wilson in West 
Chester, to consider the expediency of establishing a national bank 
in said borough, viz.: George Brinton, David Woelffer, Joseph 
Hemphill, William WoUerton, Wellington Hickman, John Smith 
Futhey, and William S. Kirk. The following resolution was 
adopted : 

" Kesolved, That we associate ourselves together for the imr- 
pose of carrying on the business of banking under the act of Con- 
gress entitled: "An Act to provide a National Currency secured 
by a pledge of United States stocks, and to provide for the circula- 
tion and redemption tliereof," approved February 25, 18G3." 

The name adopted for this new financial in.stitution was tlie 
First National Bank of West Chester, and the capital stock was 
fixed at 150,000, each share to be flOO. Articles of association 
were entered into November 13, 18G3, and on November 17, 18G3, 
an election for directors was held, resulting in the election of the 
above named seven gentlemen. At the fii'st annual election the 
same gentlemen were re-elected, and George Brinton was chosen 
president and William S. Kirk cashier. On November 17, 18(>3, 
Joseph Hemphill, William Wollerton and John Smith Futhey were 
appointed a committee to procure a building in which to carry on 
the business of banking, and on December 11 reported in favor 
of the house then owned by David Meconkey, which stood im- 
mediately north of the Bank of Chester County, which was leased 



722 CIIEtiTER COUXTY 

for five years. December IG the capital stock of tJie bank was in- 
creased to flOO,000, and on January 2, 1804, tlie business of bank- 
ing was regularly coiumeuced. On January 9 the number of direc- 
tors was increased to nine, and the following gentlemen were 
elected: George Brinton, William Chalfant, John Smith Futhey, 
Joseph Hemphill, Wellington Hickman, Andrew Mitchell, Robert 
Parke, David Woelffer and William Wollerton. 

On May 24, 18(54, it was i-esolved to erect a building for the 
use of the bank, and a lot was purchased of James D. McClellan, 
on which the present bank building stands, and the building was 
erected at a cost of |25,000. Into this building the bank moved 
March 15, 18G5. On August 9, 18G4, the capital of tJie bank was 
increased to 1200,000. 

The presidents of this bank have been as follows: George 
Brinton, from the organization as given above to Januar^^ 15, 18G9; 
William Wollerton, Januaiy 15, 18G9, until his death, April 29, 
1898; Alfred P. Reid elected president May 21, 1898. 

The cashiers have been as follows: William S. Kirk, from the 
organization until April 16, 1867; James G. McCollin, April 1<>, 
1807, to Februai-y 14, 1808; Thomas W. Marshall, February 14, 
18(58, to December 17, 1872; Enos E. Thatcher, December 17, 1872, 
to January, 1887; F. W. Wollerton, from January, 1887, to the 
present time. 

In 1897 the interior of the building was remodeled and im- 
proved, safety deposit vaults being put iu containing 300 private 
boxes, the capacity of the vaults being upward of 000, the entire 
cost being about .f 11,000. These private boxes rent for from .fS to 
|12 per year, making it one of the most convenient banking rooms 
in the county. 

The Firet National Bank of Honeybrook was organized Jan- 
uai*y 1, 1868, Avith the following directors: Joshua Kames, E. I). 
White, R. W. Morton, Thomas Millard, William Gorbit, Joseph C. 
Davis, Samuel Lemmon, James C Roberts, and Thomas S. Ingram. 



AyD ITS PEOPLE. 7^3 

Josliiui Kaiiies was the first president and l\ii-hard D. Wells first 
cashier. The bank was opened for business at Honeybrook Feb- 
ruary 8, 1868, and on April 9, 1808, both the president and cashier 
resigned their iiositions. E. D. White then became president and 
R. W. Mottou, cashier. January 11, 1877, Samuel Lemmon became 
president, serA-injj until his death in Februan-, 1892. Then he was 
succeeded by John S. Gait, who has seized ever since. 

Mr. Morton served as cashier until January, 1892, when he 
died and was succeeded by John E. Tinger, who has served ever 
since. 

The capital of this bank was at first |100,000, at which it re- 
mains. Tlie present directors are John S. Gait, Theodore M. 8toob, 
Jacob Hertzler, John A. Lemmon, Thonms Millard, William Mar- 
tin, John Stauffer, Jacob Hartz. 

E. D. Haines & Co., private bankers of West Chester, began 
business in 18()8. The members of tlie firm at the beginning of 
and up to 1883, wlien Mr. Haines died, were E. D. Haines and J. T. 
Murtagh, their place of business being No. 19 North High Sti'eet. 

Pyle & Brown (Abner Pyle and Thomas B. Brown), private 
bankers of West Chester, began business in February, 1871, each 
of them having been in business separately in West Chester for 
two years. They moved into their present building in 1872, Nos. 
Ill and 113 North High Street. The business is of the nature of 
general banking, loan, real estate and insurance. 

D. M. McFarland, banker of Wester Chester, has been engaged 
in this business since 18(18. It was established in 1820 by a Mr. 
Warren, who was succeeded therein by Thomas Williamson, and 
he was succeeded in 1834 by David Meconkey. The latter gentle- 
man carried on the business until 1868, when Mr. McFarland took 
charge. The business includes in addition to banking, conveyanc- 
ing, and the drawing u]) of legal papers of all kinds, and Mr. Mc- 
Farland has acted as administrator for many estates. The office 
of the bank is on North High Street, opposite the Court-house. 



724 CHESTER COUNTY 

The Dowuingtowu Bauk was organized as a State institution 
Septembers, 1800, beginning business May 16, 18G1, with a capital 
of 150,000, which in 1863 was increased to .*100,000. It was 
changed to a National bank December 30, 1864, under the name of 
the Downingtown National Bank of Pennsylvania, with the follow- 
ing directors: William Edge, Jonathan C. Bald-nin, Samuel Eing- 
walt, Peter Dampman, David Shelmire, Dr. John P. Edge, Leonard 
F. Roberts, William Kogers, Jacob Edge, Samuel P. Millei", and 
Jonathan P. Butler. 

The presidents of this bank have been as follows: Charles 
Downing, November 23, 1860, until his death, May 3, 1863; David 
Shelmire, June 1, 1863, to November 3, 1863; William Trimble, No- 
vember 23, 1863, to his death, December 18, 1863; William Edge, 
December 28, 1863, to May 29, 1865; Jacob Edge, May 29, 1865, to 
March 13, 1889; Joseph R. Downing, April 4, 1889, to the present 
time. 

The cashiers have been : Mordecai T. Euth, from the organiza- 
tion until December 1, 1863; Joseph E. Downing, December 1, 1863, 
until April 4, 1889; Thomas W. Downing, April 11, 1889, to the 
present time. 

The Parkesburg National Bank. On April 14, 1869, Parke, 
Smith & Co., a private firm, established themselves in the banking 
business, with a capital of 150,000, and a board of directors consist- 
ing of Robert Parke, Robert Baldwin, Robert Fairlamb, John N. 
Chalfant, John A. Parke, and Ezekiel R. Young. Robert Parke was 
l>resident, and Samuel R. Parke, cashier. The name of this pri- 
vate in.stitution was the Parkesburg Bank. On April 22, 1873, 
Robert Parke resigned as president. Samel R. Parke becoming- 
president, and Robert Agnew Futhey, cashier. On March 30, 1880, 
this institution became a National bank, under the name at the 
head of this article, Avith the same president and cashier, and the 
following directors: Samuel R. Parke, Robert Parke, Robert Fair- 
lamb, John A. Mon'ison, M. D., John Y. Latta, and James B. Ken- 



AXI) ITH PEOPLE. 725 

uedy. At the present time tlie directors of this bank are as fol- 
lows: John A. Morrison, John Y. Latta, James B. Kennedy, Robert 
Futhey, John A. Parke, and A. T. Parke, the officers being Samuel 
R. Parke, president, and M. F. Hamill, cashier. 

The National Bank of Chester Valley, at Coatesville, was or- 
ganized hrst as a State bank. May 1, 1857, with the following 
board of directors: Abraham Gibbons, Nathan Eambo, Enoch S. 
McCaughey, William Dripps, Henry G. Thomas, Caleb Pierce, 
Lewis Maxton, Hugh E. Steele, Isaac Hayes, Charles Downing, 
John W. Wagoner, Samuel Slokum and James King Grier. Abra- 
liam Gibbons was the president and Francis F. Davis cashier. 

On November 17, ISO-i, it became a National bank, the same of- 
ficers remaining in charge until 1882, when Mr. Gibbons i-esigned 
and was succeeded by William Mode. Cashier Davis died in 1883 
and Avas succeeded by John \\. Thompson. In 1893 Mr. Mode re- 
signed the presidency and was succeeded by Mr. Thompson, H. J. 
Branson becoming cashier. The first directors of this bank when 
it changed to a National bank were the following: Abraham Gib- 
bons, Samuel Slokoni, James Penrose, Hugh W. Robinson, Alex- 
ander Moore, Jr., Joseph .Davis, Levis Pennock, Jr., James King 
Grier and Dr. Charles Huston. The present board of directors is 
as follows: H. Preston Baker, William H. Gibbous, Lewis B. Hen- 
son, A. F. Huston, Alexander Mode, Jesse Shallcross, J. H. 
Schrack, Brinton Walker and J. W. Thompson. 

In 1895 the building was enlarged and improved, and a large 
fire and burglar ]n'oof vault was put in, containing 210 small safes 
of various sizes, which are rented at a merely nominal cost. 

The Octoraro Bank at Oxford «'as cliartered by the State in 
1857 and organized in July, 1858. The first board of directors of 
this bank was as follows: Samuel Dickej', John M. Keiton, John 
B. Harlan, Dr. D. \\. Hutchinson, J. C. Taylor, G. W. Lefevre, A. 
F. Eves, David Hayes and Daniel Stubbs. Dr. E. V. Dickey, the 
first president, died soon after his election, and was succeeded by 



726 CHESTER COUXTY 

Eev. Samuel Dickey, who remained president until his death, Janu- 
ary 14, 1884, when he was succeeded by S. 1\. Dickey. 
,__^ On Februaiy 19, 18G5, the State charter was surrendered and 
the bank was opened as a National institution under the name of 
"The National Bank of Oxford," with the following directors: 
Samuel Dickey, John M. Kelton, J. C. Taylor, K. H. Kirk, A. F. 
Eves, Alexander Turner, D. W. Hutchison, Newtou I. Nichols, P. 
W. Housekeeper, James K. Eamsey, James A. Strawbridge, Will- 
iam E. Bingham and Daniel Stubbs. The present directors are: S. 
K. Dickey, William R. Bingham, William T. Fulton, 0. D. Arm- 
strong, R. B. Patterson, Edgar F. Fulton, T. J. Foulk, J. M. 0. Car- 
hart and J. E. Kamsey. The capital of the bank, which at first was 
1100,000, is now |125,000, the surplus fund is |25,000 and the un- 
divided profits 125,000, and the total amount of dividends paid 
since it became a National bank is f27G,000. 

Dr. James H. Cunningham was cashier of the Octoraro bank 
and of the National bank until May, 1866, when he was succeeded 
by John Janvier, who died in July, 1878, and was succeeded by 
by James E. Ramsey, who is still cashier. 

The Farmers' National Bank of Oxford was established in 1868 
as a private bank by Kirk, MacVeagh & Co. In 1870 it became a 
State bank under the name of the Oxford Banking Company, was 
incorporated Mai-ch 11, 1872, and was chartered as a National bank 
in 1883. The president of the Oxford Banking Company was 
James Wood, president, aiud David M. Taylor, cashier. The of- 
ficers at the present time are as follows: President, D. M. Tay- 
lor ,and cashier, R. A. Walker. The board of directors is as follows: 
H. A. Menough, J. Dickey Smith, J. D. Nelsou, Eber Hestou, M. D., 
C. Blackburn, Ainos K. Bradley, Levi B. Kirk, D. M. Taylor and 
Henry Cope. The capital stock is |75,000; deposits, .5!170,672.1.5 ;. 
discounts, .f20o,4G0.32, and the surplus fund and undivided profits, 
$32,000. 

J. A. Watt & Co., bankers at Oxford, began business here in 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 727 

1873, aud carry ou a general baukiug business in all its branches. 
J. A. Watt is s.ole proprietor of the business aud C. N. Lawrie is the 
cashier. 

The Dime Savings Bank of Chester County, located in the As- 
sembly Building, at West Chester, was incorporated April 22, 
1890. The purposes of the bank are indicated by the act under 
which it was organized, which was approved May 20, 1889. It 
receives deposits from all classes in any amount, from ten cents to 
f 5,000, and allows interest at the rate of three per cent, per annum 
ou all deposits aggregating two dollars remaining on deposit three 
calendar months or more. The net earnings of the bank are also 
divided among the depositors. The officers of this bank at present 
are Alfred P. Reid, president; William P. Marshall, vice-president;, 
Thomas E. Parke, second vice-president; Joseph S. Evans, secre- 
tary, and John A. Rupert, cashier. 

The following statement shows the condition of this bank at 
the close of business May 14, 1898: Mortgages, |195,675; munic- 
ipal bonds and premiums on same, |;j5,944.75, and money in bank 
and cash on hand .f4,194.;)9. Total resources, |255,814.74; liabili- 
ties, to depositors, 1250,344.89, and undivided profits, |5,4C9.85. 

This bank has issued altogether 6,75G bank books, aud at the 
present time there are 4,500 open accounts. The board of trustees 
of this bauk are as follows: 

R. T. Cornwell, kS. D. Ramsey, Henry C. Baldwin, 

L. J. Brower, Wallace S. Harlan, J. Frank E. Hause, 

Davis W. Entriken, :Marsliall H. Matlack, Joseph S. Evans, 
Lewis C. Moses, Alfred P. Reid, Geo. Morris Philips, 

J. Preston Thomas, Plummer E. Jefferis, Addison Jones, 
William P. Marshall, Michael J. Murphy, Elislia G. Cloud, 
J. Comly Hall, Thos. E. Parke, M. D. Evan T. Pennock. 

The National Bank of West Grove was organized in 1882, with 
a capital of 150,000. The officers have been as follows: President, 
Samuel K. Chambers; cashier, Walter W. BroAvn; vice-presidents^ 



728 CHESTER COUNTY 

Samuel C. Kent, 1882-94; Menander Wood, 1804-97; Robert L. Tyle, 
1897 to the present time. The first board of directors was as fol- 
lows: Samuel K. Chambers, KSamuel C. Kent, Henry Cope, Charles 
Diugee, David IMercer, Ivobert T>. Pylc, 'William 11. I'yle, Mordecai 
y. Taylor and Menander Wood. The present board is as foUous: 
Samuel K. (lluDubeJ's, Henry Cope, Alfred F. Couard, Joel P. 
Conard, Alouzo B. Criswell, William B. Harvey, David Mercer, 
Robert L. Pyle and Emmor B. Wood. 

The bank is located on Exchange Place, owns its building, 
and rents rooms to the postottice authorities and to private parties. 
The capital remains as at first, tlie surplus is |22,000, deposits, 
1125,000, and with the exception of the first six months, a dividend 
of three per cent, has been declared semi-annually. 

The National Bank of Avcmdale was established June 25, 1891, 
with the same officers as at present, except the vice-president, viz.: 
Samuel Wickersham, president; M. B. Kent, vice-president, and E. 
Pusey Passmore, cashier, then the youngest cashier in the State. 
The vice-president since 1891 has been W. J. Pusey. The first 
board of directors was as follows: S. Wickersham, S. John Pyle, 
W. J. Pusey, M. B. Kent, Edwin C. Cloud, Augustus Brosius, Will- 
iam \A'illard, Harry C. Taylor, 1. Frank Chandler, A\'. F. \'ernou 
iind Z. Lamborn. 

The present board is as follows: S. Wickersham, W. J. Pusey, 
S. John Pyle, Augustus Brosius, B. H. Chambers, Samuel Sharp- 
less, William Willard, Tliomas H. Marvel, M. G. Brosius, John T. 
Alexander, and Solomon J. Pusey. 

The bank building, one of the most neat and elegant little 
buildings in the county, stands on Pennsylvania, No. 116. It is of 
Avondale limestone, and cost |13,000. There is in it a safety deposit 
vault of uKidern construction, whicji contains seventy-two boxers 
which rent from .|2.50 to |G per annum. The business was trans- 
ferred to this new building, ^\ liicli is heated by a water heater, in 
October, 189G. The capital of this bank is as at first, 150,000, the 



AXD /7W PEOPLE. 729 

surplus ou May 5, 1898, was |15,000, the deposits then amounted to 
1127,000, and beginning in 1891, it has declared a dividend of two 
and a half per oent. semi-amiually. 

Tlie Farmers' National Bank of West Chester was organized 
December 5, 18S2, and was chartered January 11, 1883, with a capi- 
tal of .$100,000. It commenced business in a rented room in the 
building standing on the southwest corner of Market and High 
.Streets, West Chester, but purchased the building January 1, 1897. 
Its presidents have been as folhiws: Samuel Butler, H. B. Buckwal- 
ter and A. P. Hall, and its casliier has been and is William Dowlin. 
The directors at the present time are J. M. Baker, A. P. Hall, 11. F. 
Hooi)es, Levi G. McCauley, Thomas W. Baldwin, Jesse Darlington, 
John E. Huey, H. P. Worth and Samuel R. Downing. The capital 
remains as at the beginning and the sui'plus is now f 15,350. 

The National Bank of Keuuett Square was authorized to begin 
the business of banking by certificate dated May 16, 1881. The 
first board of directors was Jolin Marshall, Tliomas Marshall, 
George B. Sharpe, J. Mitchell Baker, Elbvood Micheuer, Thomas 
J. Webb, Ezra L. Baily and William Press. The first president 
was John Marsliall, and the first cashier D. Duer Philips. On May 
23, 1885, John Marshall died, and uas succeeded by Edward B. 
Darlington, who is still president. The capital stock of the bank 
has been increased to |100,000, the deposits amount to from $210,- 
000 to $250,000, and the bank is in an uuusually prosperous con- 
dition. 

Tile National Bank of Coatesville was established March 0, 
1889, and began business on the 25th of the same month with a 
capital of .flOO,000. Ou April 1, 1889, the erection of the 
present handsome brownstone structure occupied by tliis bank 
and the postoffice was begun, and by October 1 of the same year 
it was ready for occupancy. The first board of trustees of tliis 
bank was as follows: Samuel Greenwood, president, W. P. Worth, 
James B. W^right, J. S. Worth, J. W. Boyle, K. W. Schrack, Joseph 



730 CHESTER COUNTY 

Beale, Joliu Gillillau, and O. A. Boyle. The cashier has been M. W. 
Powuall since the establishment of the institution. 

The National Bank of Spring City was organized Jnly 23, 1872, 
with directors as follows: Casper S. Francis, Charles Peters, Ben- 
jamin Prizer, Jacob Chrismau, John Stanffer, Benjamin Bambo, 
A. D. Ilunsicker, John X. Miller, and Charles Tyson. The first 
president of this bank was Casper S. Francis, and the first cashier, 
John T. Eachns. The capital originally was |100,000, but in 1873 
it was increased to |150,000. The second president of the bank 
was Daniel Latshaw, and the third and present one, A. P. Fritz. 
The second and present cashier was W. J. Wagoner. The directors 
of this bank at tlie present time are A. P. Fritx, Davis Kuauer, Dr. 
W. Brower, Daniel B. Latshaw, Edward Browuback, Miltcm Lat- 
shaw, Franklin March and P. W. BroAvuback. 

The Farmers' and Meclianics' National Bank of PlKenixville 
was incorporated February 5, 1872, with a capital of |50,000, which 
in 1871 was increased to |150,000. The first board of directors was 
composed of Elias Oberholtzer, Newton Evans, Matthias C. Penny- 
packer, Hyram H. Stover, Abraham Grater, Andrew Tyson, J. D. 
Wismer, and Jesse Gabel. The first president was Elias Ober- 
holtzer, who died December 17, 1S7(). John Kennedy succeeded 
him and died September 4, 1877. Aaron H. Stover then became 
president and held the office until February, 1887; John Detwiler 
was president until 1889; J. Thomas F. Hunter until 1801, and tlie 
present president, I. J. Brower, was elected January \7t, 1891. 

The first cashier was J. Newton Evans, who was succeeded 
in the office July 1, 1875, by J. Theodore F. Hunter who held the 
office until 1887; George K. Poberts, until 1890; I). W. Brower, uutil 
1892, and H. A. Jenks, the present cashier, was elected January 
11, 1892. Harry W. Brower is now teller in the bank. This bank 
was re-organized in 1891, placed under new management and since 
then it has had a very successful career. The present board of 
directors is as follows: I. J. Brower, Mahlon Miller, Isaac Detwiler, 



AND IT^ PEOPLE. t^si 



Hiram Biukwalter, J. G. Detwiler, E. L. Bmkwalter, J. II. Jolm- 
son, H. F. Ralston and Amos G. Gotwals. 

The National Bank of Pbd'uixville. The tirst attempt to estab- 
lish a bank in Ph(euixA-ille was in 1852, when Messrs. Peunypacker, 
xSherwood, Kreamer, Bonner, AVbeatley, Xicliolas Bean and Joseph 
^^'hitake^ organized themselves into sneh an institution; but the 
Legislature refused to grant a charter, and the attempt was aban- 
doned. 

The next attempt was made in 1S5(>, which resulted in the 
organization of the Bank of Phoenixville March 12, 1859, the first 
board of directors being Joseph J. Tustin, William M. Taylor, 
Nicholas Bean, Daniel Latshaw, Nathan T. MacVeagh, Jolm Mor- 
gan, Levi B. Kaler, N. M. Ellis, Benjamin Prizer, William ]M. 
Stephens, Isaac Chrisman and Daniel Bucher. The first president 
was Samuel Buckwalter, and the first cashier, Jacob B. Morgan, 
who resigned in 1890, and was succeeded by Horace Lloyd, who has 
held the office ever since. 

This bank on December 30, 18G4, organized as the National 
Bank of Phcenixville, with the following directors: Samuel Buck- 
waiter, John Morgan, Samuel Kreamer, Samuel Moses, Jacob B. 
Landis, Henry Fink, Casper S. Francis, Joel Fink, Levi Prizer, and 
C. B. Heebner. The first president of the bank, Samuel Buck- 
waiter, held the position until his death, his successor, Henry 
Loucks, being elected March 18, 1869, and holding the office until 
January, 1890, and was succeeded by P. G. Carey who held the 
office until his death, in June, 1897, and then L. B. Kaler, the pres- 
ent official, succeeded him. 

The capital of this bank was originally |100,000, but it was in- 
creased from time to time until it became $200,000. At first the 
business was conducted in a dwelling-house, but a commodious 
banking-house was afterward erected, which has all the modern 
appliances for convenience and safety. This bank has a surplus 
of 150,000, and for many j'ears has paid its stockholders a semi- 
annual dividend of four per cent. 



732 CHESTER COUNTY 

The Phcpnix Mutual Fire Insiirauce Company was incorporat- 
ed Xovember 8, 1875, its tirst president being W. W. Waitneight 
and first secretary, George M. Bishop. The business of the com- 
pany has always been conducted in a careful and conservative man- 
ner, and has in consequence been eminently successful. It has 
paid losses by fire aggregating |151,120, and has averaged only 
one assessment a year. The officers at the present time are as 
follows: George M. Bishop, president; P. Strode Brown, secretary, 
and G. C. Browubaclv, treasurer. Tlie directors are as follows: 
George M. Bishop, Plujenixville; A. E. Eachus, Pha'nixvilie; Daniel 
Eixstine, Phoenixville; L. R. Walters, Phoenixville; Abraham Det- 
wiler, Pbcenixville; H. Pratt, Coatesville; Gideon S. Moore, Mil- 
foi'd Mills; John Eees, Aldham; Daniel Schlipp, 8t. Peters; John 
White, Honeybrook; Jcdin T. Comly Jenkintown; E. Kranser, Nor- 
ristown; L. P. G. Fegley, Boyertown, Pa. 

The Phoenix Mutual Storm Insurance Company of Phoenix- 
ville was chartered July 30, 188G, for the purpose of insuring 
property against losses by wind, hail and lightning; and also cro|)s 
in the field, glass in houses and hothouses against loss by hail. 
Many people are protecting their property against losses of this 
nature by insuring in this company. Its officers and directors are 
as follows: Hon. D. F. Moore, president; P. Strode BroAvu sec- 
retary, and Abraham Detwiler, treasurer. The directors are: Hon. 
D. F. Moore, Phoenixville; Daniel Rixstine, Phoenix ville; Abraham 
Detwiler, Phoenixville; P. Strode Brown, Phoenixville; Harry 
Pratt, Coatesville; Jacob Emery, Chester Springs; John White, 
East Earl; L. P. G. Fegley, BoyertoAvn; Joseph Kelso, Douglass- 
ville; Heni'y Wamsher, Mcmocacy; Daniel Schlipp, Smedley; John 
Comly, Jenkintown; Jonathan Bees, Aldham. 

The Penn Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Chester County 
was incorporated August 14, 18(57, and its first policy was issued 
January 1, 1868. The first board of directors was as follows: Will- 
iam P. Towuseud, William Darlington, Washing-ton Townsend, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 733 

Elijah F. Pcunypaoker, Isaac Hayes, William AViiulle, Levi U. 
Croiise, John D. Worth, E. Haines Passmore, Jonathau Koberts, 
Pennock E. Marshall, and George C. M. Eioholtz. The first of- 
ficers were William P. Townsend, president; Elijah F. Penny- 
packer, vice-president; and Enoch Harlan, secretary and treasurer. 
The succeeding presidents have been as follows: William Windle, 
January, 1870, to January, 1877; J. Smith Fut.hey, until February, 
1879; Elijah F. Pennypacker, until 1887; Edwin James, until 1892; 
and Alfred P. Keid, from 1892 until the present time. 

Enoch Harlan remained secretary and treasurer until his 
death in the summer of 1872, when he was succeeded by his son, 
Thomas W. Harlan, who resigned in July, 1873. He was succeeded 
by George M. Eupert, who held the office until 1884, and was then 
succeeded by Barclay Lear, the present secretary, the two offices 
being separated in 1884, William P. Sharpless becoming treasurer 
and serving until 1891, when Plummer E. Jefferis was elected and 

still holds the position. 

The Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Chester County, lo- 
cated in Coatesville, was incorporated April 21, 1810, and \\'as or- 
ganized on May 16 followiug, at the public house of Hayes Clark in 
Doe Eun village. Joseph M. Thompson was elected its first presi- 
dent; Amos Fredd, treasurer, and Enoch Harlan, secretary. On 
October 5, 1810, business was commenced with fire risks to the 
amount of .f;iOO,000, but the company was without a permanent 
office until 18(30, the directors in the meantime meeting in various 
places throughout the county. During the summer of 1800 a 
building was erected in Coatesville, at which place the business of 
the company has since been conducted. This building was iised 
until 189(5, when the present commodious structure was erected. 

Commencing with policies to the amount of |100,000 the com- 
pany had policies out January 1, 1898, to the amount of |31,070,211, 
and the total amount of losses paid by the company up to the 
same date was .|1,C55,610.11, while the amount received for assess- 



734 



CHESTER COUNTY 



ments was -f 1,800,559.87. Xo extra assessment has ever been made. 

The Storm Department of the company was organized in 1890, 
and on December, 1896, it had in force insurance to the amount 
of 11,708,542. 

The following oflficers have served the company since its or- 
ganization: 



PRESIDENTS. 

Jos. M. Thompson, 

Morris Cope, 

Solomon Lukens, 

Moses Whitson, 

Charles Downing, 

Smedley Darlington to fill unexpired term of Chas. 

Downing, dec'd. 
Enoch Harlan, to April, 1864 

Jacob Edge, from April, 1864 to 1868 



from 


1840 


to 1844 


« 


1844 


" 1848 


a 


1848 


" 1850 


n 


1850 


" 1853 


(I 


1853 


" 1863 



Wm. W. Eachus, 




1808 


a 


1869 


Archimides Eobb, 




1869 


a 


1876 


Levis Peunock, Jr., 




1876 


a 


1880 


Abraham Gibbons, 




1880 


a 


1894 


John P. Edge, 




1894 


a 


date. 


SECRETARIES. 








Enoch Harlan, 


from 


1840 


to 


1863 


Caleb H. Bradley, 


(I 


1863 


(( 


1880 


Isaac Spackman, 


t( 


1880 


a 


1895 


Briutou Cooper, Ass't, 


a 


1880 


a 


1895 


B. P. Cooper, Sec'y, 


(C 


1895 


it 


date. 


Thos. Speckman, Ass't Sec'y, 


a 


1895 


it 


date 


TREASURERS. 








Amos Fredd, 


from 


1840 


to 


1841 


Morris Cope, 


a 


1841 


a 


1844 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 735 

Jos. M. Thompson, 

Henry G. Thomas, 

John A. Eeynolds, 

Dr. fTiarles Huston, 

Levis Pennock, Jr., 

Alexander Mode, 

Wm. H. Ridgway, 

John M. Lindsay, of Bryn Mawr, appointed a receiver in 1857, 
and surveyor in 1862, still holds both positions, having served for 
a longer term than any other of the present officers. 

Moses Rambo was elected manager in 1869, and still holds 
the office. 



PEOPLE. 








<( 


1844 


(( 


1854 


ct 


1854 


« 


1867 


tt 


1867 


« 


1874 


(I 


1874 


a 


1881 


« 


1881 


i< 


1887 


« 


1887 


i< 


1894 


u 


1894 


u 


date. 



43 



CHAPTER XVIll. 

RELIGION. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

RELIGION — THE EARLIEST CHURCHES — NAMES OF PASTORS — THEIR METHODS OF 

INSTRUCTION — THE FRIENDS — THEIR VARIOUS SOCIETIES — DIVISION IN 

THEIR RANKS — THE CATHOLICS — THEIR GROWTH AND PRESENT 

STRENGTH — THE PRESBYTERIANS — BAPTISTS — METHODISTS — 

EPISCOPALIANS — REV. MR. USSHER — LUTHERANS — OTHER 

DENOMINATIONS — SUNDAY-SCHOOLS — CHARACTER 

OF PASTORS — BUILDINGS AND STATISTICS. 

IN writing the history of religion in Chester County it is not 
deemed necessarj' to go fui-ther back into the history of the Prov- 
ince of PenDS.Alvania than about the time when WiJliam Penn 
landed upon the Delaware, in 1082. Tben tliere were churches at 
Christina, New Castle, Wicaco and Tinicum. The church at Chris- 
tina was built soon after the arrival of Minuit, the date of which 
has already- been given. Kev. lieorus Torkillus was the first min- 
ister to begin the performance of his duties, probably in 1040. A 
handsome frame church building was erected on Tinicum Island 
by Governor Printz, which was de<iicated in September, 1040. The 
first pastor here was the Kev. John Campanius. In what is now 
Houthwark, Philadelphia, there stood in 1682 a small bhxk-house, 
which appears to have been fiii^t used for religious purposes in 
1077, the fir-st ser-mon therein having been delivered on Ti'inity 
Hunday, that year. In 1007 the peoide of Christina and New Castle 
united in the building of a church at Cranehook, half way between 
the two i)Iaces. During or shortly after the close of the adminis- 
tration of Governor Printz, llev. Lars Carlsson L<x>ck, Iie\'. Israel 
Holgh, and j>erhaps a few otliei-s, came from Kweden. Dominie 
Loock had charge of two congregations, that at Christina and that 
at Tinicum. Kev. Petrus Laurentii Hjort and Rev. Mathias Nico- 
lai Nertimius came over with Governor Kisingh in 1054, but left 
with him The next year. Rev. Evai^lus \\'elius, a Dutch minister, 

739 



740 CHESTER COUNTY 

iu 1657 came to New Castle and relieved Pieterseu of bis pastoral 
duties. Pietersen remained thereafter simply "fore-singer, zieken- 
trooster, and deacon." 

For some years the necessity for religious instruction was 
greatly felt as those who had come over from Europe, as mentioned 
above, grew old and sick, unable to perform their usual duties, and 
for some time thei*e was not one active Swedish clergyman in the 
province, none but lay readers. At Tinicum Church Anders 
Beng-tson, an old man, sat and read postils, and at Christina, 
Charles Springer, a Swede who had been a slave in A'^irgiuia, read 
to the congregation. But at length under Charles XI., King of 
Sweden, missionaries and books were supplied at the expense of 
the government, and aftei'T\'ard, between 1G96 and 1786, not less 
than twenty-four miuisters were sent out by Sweden to the settlers 
on the Delaware. 

Rev. John Campanius was pastor at Tinicum from 1612 to 
1648, spent much time in missionary work among the Delaware In- 
dians, and according to his own account converted many of them 
to Christianity. He studied Indian languages, and framed a 
vocabuhuy of the Delaware language, into which he translated for 
the benefit of that nation Luther's Shorter Catechism. 

Dr. Smith in his History of DelaAvare County says: "This 
year'' (1668) "a Swedish church was erected at Crane Hook, at 
Avhich Mr. Loock officiated, as well as at the church at Tinicum." 
This has reference to the church built, as stated above, in 1667. 
Cn April 13, 1671, according to the same authority, a. pass was 
granted "to the Magister Jacobus Fabritius, pastor of the Lutheran 
confession," to go to New Castle. Mr. Fabritius became the first 
pastor at Wicaco. 

In 1675 Itev. William Edmundson, a minister of the Society of 
Friends, traveled through this new country and found Robert 
Wade settled at Upland, and at Mr. Wade's house, a few other 
Friends having been collected, Mr. Edmundson held a meeting, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. .741 

after wLich they weut in a boat to Salem, where they met with 
John Fenwick and a few Friends, who that year had come from 
England with John Feuwiclc. These names are especially note- 
, worthy, for Robert Wade and John Fenwick, who, together with 
other Friends who in 1675 came from England, were the first mem- 
bers of the Society of Friends that settled within the limits of 
ancient Chester County, or even within the limits of the Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania, and this meeting at Eobert Wade's house 
was the first meeting of Friends within the county or common- 
wealth. And, of course, the Eev. William Edmundson was the 
fii'st minister of that Society to hold a meeting within the county. 
Eobert Wade was a purchaser of land from John Fenwick. While 
there were doubtless several other meetings within the county 
earlier than 1681, yet there is no record of any such meeting in 
Pennsylvania before that year, the first minute being as follows: 

"The 10th day of the 11th month, 1681. A monthly meeting 
of Friends belonging to Marcus-hook, alias Chester and Upland, 
held at the house of Eobert Wade." 

Meetings were held alteraately at the places above mentioned 
and were but one monthly meeting; but later the meeting at 
Eobert Wade's became Chester Monthly Meeting, and that at Mar- 
cus Hook, though at first calld the Chichester Monthly Meeting, 
became at length merged in the Concord Meeting. 
)/(^H^UJ-(fe^(According to Dr. Smith the only Friends or Qimkers who were 
heads of families settled at Chester and Marcus Hook, at the time 
of the arrival of the first vessel sent out by ^^'illiam Penn, were as 
follows: Eobert Wade, Eoger Pedrick, Morgan Drewet, William 
Woodmanson, Michael Izzard, Thomas Eevel, Henry Hastings, 
William Oxley, James Browne, Henry Eeynolds and Thomas Nos- 
siter. 

But it would be scarcely proper to pass over the Eev. William 
Edmundson without further mention. He is spoken of as an "emi- 
nent minister of the Friends," and in 1675-77 made a missionary' 



742 



CHESTER COVNTTi 



tour along the Atlantic coast from Ehode Island to the Caro- 
linas, stopping on the way at several places, holding meetings 
with the Friends and taking part in several controversies upon 
religious doctrines with ministers and others of other denomina- 
tions, according as he was moved "by the Spirit of the Lord." 

Inasmuch as the central idea, thought or principle of the 
religion of the Friends has had a most powerful effect upon the 
civilization of Pennsylvania, and other colonies and later States,. 
and so upon the entire country, in its educational, religious and 
civil history, it is not only proper but actually necessary to present 
in as clear light as possible that central thought or doctrine in this 
connection. And it will doubtless be more entertainingly and in- 
sti'uctively presented in the language of this eminent minister of 
the Friends as he was holding an argument with a certain minister 
of another religious society. 

After describing his expulsion from a "Worship-House" and 
his removal under guard to the "Guard Firelocks upon the Hill," 
in New Hertford, Connecticut, he says: 

"So that the officer who had me in charge first complained of 
the sharpness of the weather, and askt me, How I could endure the 
Gold? For he was very cold. I told him It was the Entertain- 
ment, that their great Professors of Religion in New England, af- 
forded a stranger, and yet professed the Scriptures to be their 
rule, which commanded to entertain strangers, and besides they 
had drawn my blood, &c. * * * Then he took me to an Inn, 
and presently the room was filled with Professors, much discourse 
we had, and the Lord strengthened me, and by his Spirit brought 
many passages of Scripture to my Eemembrance; so that Truth's 
Testimony was over them. As one company went away, another 
came. 

"When they were foiled a Preacher amongst the Baptists took 
up the argument against Tinitli, charging Friends with holding a 
great error, (Avhich was) That every Man had a Measure of the 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 745 

Spirit of Clirist, and would know if I held tlie same Error? I told 
him, that was no Error, for tlie Scriptures witnessed to it plenti- 
fully: he said, he denied that the World had received a Measure 
of the Spirit, but Believers had received it. I told him, that the 
Apostle said, a Manifestation of the Spirit was given to every owe,, 
to profit with all; he said, that was meant to every one of the Be- 
lievers. I told him, Christ had enlightened every one that came 
into tlie World, with the Light of his Spirit; he said, that was^ 
every one (►f the Believers that came into the World: and as I 
brought him Scriptures, he still applied them to the Believers,, 
saying, there was the Ground of our Error, in applying that to 
every Man, which properly belonged to Believers. Then the 
Lord by his good Spirit brought to my mind the Promise of our 
Saviour, (when he told his Disciples of his going away,) that he 
would send the Comforter, the Spirit of Tiiith, that should con- 
vince the World of Siu, and should guide his Disciples into all 
Truth; thus the same Spirit of Trath, that leads Believers intc^ 
all Truth, convinces the World of Sin. So thou must grant, that 
all have received it, or else show from the Scriptures a SELECT 
Number of Believers, and besides them a WOKLD of Believers,, 
that hath the Spirit, also another WORLD of Unbelievers, that 
hath no Measure of the Spirit to convince them of Sin. 

"Here the Ijord's Testimony came over him, so that he was 
stopped, and many sober Profesvsors, who staid to see tlie end, 
acquiesced therewith, and said, indeed Mr. Rogers, the Man is iu 
the right; for you must find a SELECT Number of Believers, be- 
sides a WORLD that hath a Measure of the Spirit, that convinces^ 
them of Siu, and a WORLD that hath not the Spirit, so not con- 
vinced of Sin. This thou must do or grant the argument. 

"He was silent and the people generally satisfied in that mat- 
ter, their Understandings being opened : so they took their Leave 
of me very lovingly, it being late in the Night."* 



*The passage of Scripture on which the Friends rely to sustain this doctrine of 
the Light of the Spirit, or the Inner Light, is as follows: " That was the true light 
that lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1, 9. 



744 CHESTER COUXTY 

Tliis doctrine of the luuer Light is still entertained by and 
is still the fundamental doctrine of the Friends. In an address 
delivered in West Chester, Februarv 1, 1898, John J. Cornell of 
Baltimore, a leading Friend, said that he had heard the silent 
nxouitor within address him im the "First day morning last, the 
vommand being 'Go to West Chester on Second day." " And as 
he made it a rule to obey this voice he had come, and the passage 
of Scripture suggesting itself to him was "What shall I do to be 
saved?" In answer to this (question he said that obedience to 
the inner voice to the highest expression of what is right, is that 
which will bring salvation. He said that a man needs not so 
much a pardon at the close of life for errors committed while he 
lived a.s he does guardianship during life that will keep him 
from error. To keep him from error is the mission of the inner 
light, and if a man be preserved from sin in the present life he 
will have no sin to atone for at the end of life. This is the sub- 
stance of Mr. Corneirs remarks on the Inner Light. William 
Penn's idea as to religious liberty is clearly expressed in the fol- 
lowing paragraph from his "Frame of (xovernmenf: 

"That all persons living in this Province, who confe.ss and 
acknowledge the one almighty and eternal God to be the creator, 
upholder and ruler of the world, and that hold themselves obliged 
in conscience to live peaceably and justly in civil society, shall in 
no ways be molested or prejudiced for their religious persuasion or 
practice in matters of faith and worship, nor shall they he com- 
pelled at any time to frequent or maintain any religious worship, 
place or ministry whatever." 

While this for the times in which it was promulgated was 
very broad and liberal, much more so than were the laws laid 
down for the government of religious matters in most of the other 
colonies, yet it is, as will be noticed, not without qualification. And 
it was the doctrine of the Friends regarding religious liberty and 
peace on earth and good-will toward men that drew so large a 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 745 

number of ijeople from opj^ression in Europe, who entertained such 
a great variety of opinion on religious matters, to this province, 
and this great variety of opinion would have made religious tolera- 
tion a necessity, even had there been any disf»osition on the part 
of the government or of any one denomination to interfere. The 
Friends, however, remained in the majority as to numbers up 
to the time of the IJevolutionary War, yet there were many repre- 
sentatives of the German sects, as Mennoniter«, Bunkers, Amish, 
etc., and also Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptist.s, 
Catholics, etc. 

It is with these various denominations that this hist<jry ha.s 
now to treat. Among the Friends meetings wer-e at first held 
in private houses; but at length, as soon as their numbers had 
sufficiently increa.sed, they erected small, plain buildings, usually 
of logs, which plain buildings were used for religious or educa- 
tional purposes, or both. Among the oldest of these buildings 
in what was once Chester County, but which is now Delaware 
County, were those at Springfield, Providence, Middletown, 
Radnor and Xewtown, and the oldest in what is now Chester 
County were at Goshen, Uwchlan, Cain, Kennett, Birmingham, 
Nottingham, West Nottingham, New Garden, London Grove, Brad- 
ford and Valley. 

"Meetings" among the Friends are of several kinds. The 
Preparative Meetings consist of one or more meetings for wor- 
ship. The Monthly Meetings consist of one or more Preparative 
Meetings. The Quarterly Meetings consi.st of one or more Monthly 
Meetings. The Yearly Meetings consist of several Quarterly 
Meetings. The Monthly Meetings are the principal executive 
branch of the Society. 

As nearly all of the Meetings within the limits of Chester 
County belong to the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, the date of the 
organization of that meeting is here given, 16SL The Meetings in 
both Delaware and Chester Counties which belong to this Yearh 



746 CHESTER COUNTY 

Meeting, are here i)reseuted, those in Dehxware County having been 
in Chester County when established. 

Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting, 1682; Haverford Monthly 
Meeting, 1G84; Haverford Meeting, 1G83; Radnor, 1686; Valley 
1714. 

Chester (Concord) Quarterly meeting, 1683; Chester Monthly 
Meeting, KiSl; Chester Meeting, IGTii; Springfield, 1686; Provi- 
dence, 1696; Middletown, 1686. 

•Darby Monthly Meeting, 1684; Darby Meeting, 1683 (?). 

Concord Monthly Meeting, 1684; Chichester Meeting, 1683; 
Concord, 1685. 

The dates of the organization of the several Meetings in the 
present Cliester County are as follows: 

Goshen Monthly Meeting, 1722; Goshen Meeting, 1702; New- 
town (Delaware County), 1696; Willistown, 1784; Whiteland, 1816^ 
Malvern, 1880. 

Birmingham Monthly Meeting, 1815; Birmingham Meeting, 
1690; West Chester, 1810. 

Wester Quarterly Meeting, 1758; Newark (Kennett) Monthly 
Meeting, 1686; New Castle (DelaAvare) Meeting, 1684; Newark, 
1686; Kennett, 1707; Wilmington, 1737; Marlborough, 1801; 
Kennett Square, 1812; Unionville, 1845 (Hicksite). 

NeAV Garden Monthly Meeting, 1718; New Garden Meeting, 
1712; West Grove, 1787; London Britain, 1834; Mill Creek, 1838. 

London Grove Monthly Meeting, 1792; London Grove Meet- 
ing, 1714; Fallowfield, 1792. 

Fallowfield Monthly Meeting, 1811; Fallowfield Meeting, 
1792; Doe Kun, 180.5. 

Penn's Grove Monthly Meeting, 1842; Penn's Grove Meeting, 
1820; Oxford Meeting, 1879; Homeville, 1839. 

Centre Monthly Meeting, 1808; Centre Meeting, 1687; Hockes- 
sin, 1730. 

Cain Quarterly Meeting, 1800; Bradford Monthly Meeting, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 747 

1737; Bradford Meeting, 1711); Calu, 171(); West Calu, 175G; 
Eomansville, 1840. 

Sadsbury Monthly Meeting, 1738; Sadsbury Meeting, 1723; 
East Sadsbury, 1810; Lampeter, 1732. 

Uwfhlan Monthly Meeting, 17G3; Uwchhui Meeting, 1712; 
Nautmeal, 1739; Pikeland, 1758; Downingtowu, 1784. 

Baltimore Yearly Meeting includes the following meetings ia 
Chester County: Nottingham Quarterly Meeting, 1819; Notting- 
ham Monthly Meeting^ 1730; East Nottingham Meeting, 1705; 
West Nottingham, 1719; Elk, 1825. 

From the time of the first recorded meeting at the house 
of Robert Wade, already mentioned, meetings continued to be 
held there from time to time for some years. One was held on 
the 9th day of the 3d month, 1G82, and another on the 3d day of the 
6th month, 1(582. At the first Quarterly Meeting held at Chester, 
12th month, 4, 1083-4, it was ordered that the Chester Monthly 
Meeting be held on the first second day of every month, the time 
being changed in 1695 to one week earlier. The meeting having 
been held for some time at the house of Robert Wade, was in the 
12tli month, 1686, changed to the house of W^alter Fosett, from 
that time on until 1700 being held at various places, private 
houses, and in this latter year it became settled at Providence. 

In 1721 the number of meetings had increased to seven, viz.: 
Chester, Springfield, Providence, Middletown, Goshen, Newtown 
and Uwchlan, these meeting together for the last time, 12th 
month, 26, 1721, afterward Goshen, Newtown and ITwchlan holding 
a separate monthly meeting. 

Newark Monthly Meeting was first held in 1686, and has been 
known as Kennett Monthly Meeting since 1760. The preliminary 
steps for holding this meeting were taken in 1685, but the meetings 
for a year or so were very in-egular. It was held for the last time 
at Newark in 1707, and then for some time in Center Meeting- 
house. At length it settled at Kennett, when it dropped the 
old name, Newark. 



748 CHESTER COUNTY 

Center Meetiug met for some time at the bouse of Georsje 
Harlau, avIio iu 1(389 lived probably in New Castle County, Dela- 
ware, but later he lived in what is now Pennsbiiry, Chester County. 
In 1702 the Friends belonging to this meetiug were accustomed 
to meet at Newark, at Valentine Hollingsworth's house, one First 
day, and on the other side of the Brandywine on the other First 
day. In 1708 a meeting-house was directed to be erected; in 
1710 Alphonsus Kirk was allowed 7s Cd per acre for such an 
amount of land as the meeting-house might need, not to exceed six 
acres, and in 1711 Mi*. Kirk, George Harlan, Thomas Hollings- 
worth and Samuel Graves were appointed a committee to take tlie 
oversight of the erection of a meeting-house, 

Birmingham meeting was held at the house of William Brin- 
ton for the first time 29th, 9th month, 1690, and in 1701 a meeting 
began to be held at the house of John Bennett. In 1718 permis- 
sion was granted to the Friends of Birmingham to build a meeting- 
house, the place selected being iipon Kichard Webb's land near 
the "Great Road." Trustees were appointed and to them one 
acre of ground was conveyed by Elizabeth Webb for £3', and on 
this land the meeting-house was erected in 1722. This meeting- 
house is said to have been built of cedar logs. The western end of 
the pi'esent meeting-house was erected iu 1763, and was used as a 
hospital during the Revolutionary \^'ar. 

In 1701 some of the Friends dwelling at Goshen applied for 
permission to erect a meeting-house, applying again in 1702, their 
meetings being then held on eveiy other First day at the house 
of Griffith Owen. In 1703 their meeting-house was built, and 
meetings were held therein every First day of the week, with the 
exception of the last First day in the 1st, 1th, 7th and 10th months, 
when they were held at the house of David Jones at Whiteland, in 
the Great Valley. These latter meetings in 1701 were trans- 
ferred to the house of Robei't Williams, and still later to the 
house of James Thomas. In 1707 they contemplated the erec- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 749 

tiou of a meeting-kon.SL', wliicli was later built, and was ready 
for occupancy in 1709. David Jones lived iu what is now East 
Whiteland. In 173G a new meeting-house was erected, whiili 
stood nntil about 1875, when it was superseded by the present 
meeting-house. 

East Nottingham meeting, after being held in private houses 
for some years, began to be held in the new meeting-house in 
1709. This meeting-house was replaced by one of brick in 1721, 
which was afterward partly destroyed by tire. A stone addition 
was made to wlia,t remained, and the entire structure was de- 
stroyed by fire in 1810. In 1811 the present building was erected, 
which, though one-half stone, is usually referred to as the "Brick 
Meeting-house.'' The land upon which it stands was granted by 
William Penn, but when the boundary line was finally located, the 
meeting fell into Maryland. 

Kennett Meeting-house was erected in 1710, was enlarged 
in 1719, and again iu 1731. 

New Garden Meeting-house was erected in 1714 or 1715. In 
the latter year a preparative meeting was held therein, and in 
1713 the south end of the present church was built, and the north 
end in 1790. 

Uwchland Meeting was held for some time in the house of 
John Cadwallader, who allotted a i^iece of land for a burying-place 
and a meeting-house on the side of the King's Koad. The build- 
ing that stands tliere at present was erected in 1736, but was re- 
modeled about 1875. The house erected in 1736 was. used as a 
hospital during the Eevolutionary War. 

Valley Meeting was held for a. time at the house of Lewis 
Walker, and in 1731 a meeting-house was erected at the grave- 
yard near his house. 

London Grove Meeting was held in 1714 at the house of John 
Smith in Marlborough. In 1724 the Friends here were granted 
permission to build a meeting-house where tlie corner of London 



750 CHESTER COUNTY 

Gi'uve TowDsbip joius Marlborough Township. The house 
erected in accordance with this permission was superseded by 
a larger one in 1743, which iu turn gave way to the present one in 
1818. A short distance to the southward the Orthodox Friends 
haA'e erected their meeting-house. 

Cain Meeting was first held in 171(!, with Thomas Pierson and 
William Cloud as overseers, permission being given the same 
year to build a meeting-house. In 1720 this meeting proposed four 
Friends as trustees of their house and grounds, viz.: Thomas 
Parks, Aaron Mendenhall, Thomas Eldrech and Edward Tomson. 
In 1801 this house wa.s enlarged to accommodate the new Quar- 
terly Cain Meeting. 

Bradford Meeting, composed of Friends iu the forks of the 
Brandywine, was granted penuission to assemble for worship in 
1719, and in 1726 were allowed to hold a preparative meeting, their 
first meeting-house being on or near the corner of land owned 
by Abraham Marshall. The present site was purchased 10th 
month, 10th day, 1729, upon which site they erected a house which 
stood until 17G5, iu which year the present structure was erected. 
In 1788 the roof of this structure took fire and most of the build- 
ing was burned, but by throwing snow in at the doors and win- 
dows the floor was saved. The building was soon aftei*ward re- 
paired by William Woodward at a cost of £115. 

West Nottingham Meeting was first held in 1719 at the house 
of James King, and continued to be held there until 1720. Then 
permission was granted to erect a meeting-house, which was 
ready for occupancy in 1729. In 1730 this meeting was made a 
preparative one. The present church, which stands on the Mary- 
land side of the line, was erected in 1811. 

Goshen Monthly Meeting was set off fi'om Chester Monthly 
Meeting in 1722, including at the time the meetings of Goshen, 
Newtown and Uwchlan. Aftenvard Xantmeal and Pikeland were 
-added. For three years the meetings were held alternately at 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 751 

Goshen aud Newtown. In 1762 the Monthly Meeting was di- 
vided, l,eaving only the Goshen and Newtown meetings under the 
Goshen Monthly Meeting, to which were afterward added Willis- 
town, Whiteland and West Chester, the latter remaining in this 
group only a short time. In 1801 the place of meeting was 
changed from Willistown to Goshen, and in 1827, when the division 
in the Society took place, the Orthodox Friends met at Goshen. 

Sadsbury Meeting was granted permission in 1725 or soon aft- 
erw'ard to erect a meeting-house. It stood on the edge of Lan- 
caster County, but many of the members lived in Chester County. 

Lampeter Meeting was established at the house of Hattill 
^'arman in Leacock in 1732, and in 1719 was removed to Lampeter 
Township. 

Sadsburj- Monthly Meeting was fonned upon the division 
of New Garden Monthly Meeting, and was comprised of the two 
preparative meetings of Sadsbury and Leacock^ The first meet- 
ing was held 12th mouth, (ith day, 1737-8. 

Nottingham Monthly Meeting was established in 1730, by the 
division of NeAV Garden Monthly Meeting, and it comprises East 
aud West Nottingham meetings and Elk. 

Hockessin Meetiug, named after an Indian town, which for- 
merly stood near its location, was first held at the house of William 
Cox upon the Sixth day of the week, this day being changed to the 
First day of the week in 1737. In 1738 a meeting-house was 
built, which was enlarged in 1745. This house stands in Mill 
Creek Hundred, south of Kennett Square. 

Bradfoi'd Monthly Meetiug, established in 1737, had two 
branches, one at Bradford, the other at Cain, and alternated be- 
tween the two meeting-houses. 

Uwchlan Monthly Meeting was established in 1763 at the 
Uwchlan meetiug-house. It was formed hj the division of Goshen 
Monthly Meeting, and at the time included Uwchlan, Nantmeal 
and Pikeland. Later Downingtown Meeting was added. 
44 



752 CHESTER COUNTY 

Uwehlan Meeting has already been mentioned. Xantnieal 
Meeting was first considered in 1839 and first held in 1740, a ineet- 
ing-liouse being immediately erected. In 1781 a preparative 
meeting Avas established, and in 1777 a new meeting-house was 
erected near the first one built. In 1795 the house was burned 
down, and since then affairs in this meeting have been quite 
unsatisfactory to the Friends. 

Pikeland Meeting was first held in 1758, and for the reason 
that tliose who desired its establishment lived a long distance 
from any other meeting. In 1802 a new house was erected for 
the accommodation of the preparative meeting, then recently 
established. 

Downingtown Meeting was permitted to be held first in the 
summer of 1781, in a school-house. This privilege was con- 
tinued during the summer of 1785-89 by the Monthly Meeting. 
Meetings were also held in 1795 and 1798, and at length Down- 
ingtown Meeting was fully established by the Quarterly Meet- 
ing in 1806. At first after this it was held in a. school-house which 
stood back of Clara Dowuing's, but in 1807 ground was purchased 
and a meeting-house built. 

Willistown Meeting was first held in 1781, and was fulh' 
established by the Quarterly Meeting in 1788. In 1791 a prepar- 
ative meeting was first held here, and in 1799 a new meeting- 
house was built to take the place of the old one. 

West Grove Meeting was first held about 1787, in which 
year a house was built, and in 1788 the meeting was fully 
established by the Quarterly Meeting. 

Fallowfield Meeting was held for some time prior to 1792 at 
the house of George Welsh by permission of New Garden Monthly 
Meeting, and later by the permission of London Grove Monthly 
Meeting. In 1794 a house was built and the meeting was fully 
established in 1795. 

Doe Run Meeting was established in 1805, several Friends be- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 753 

ing permitted to hold meetings iu a sehool-liouse. lu ISOS a liouse 
was built and the meeting fully established as a branch of the 
Fallowfield Monthly Meeting. 

Loudon Grove Monthly Meeting was established by a division 
of New Garden Monthly Meeting, in 1792, containing at the time 
but one preparative meeting, that of Loudon Grove. 

Cain Quarterly Meeting, composed of Bradford, J^adsbury 
and Uwchlan Monthly Meetings, was established in 1800, and also 
of Robeson Monthly Meeting, which previously had belonged to 
Philadelphia, and which is outside the limits of Chester County. 

Marlborough Meeting was established in 1801, when a meet- 
ing-house was built and the meeting established as a branch of 
Kenuett Monthly Meeting. The members had previously been 
members of the Bradford and London Grove Meetings. 

Center Monthly Meeting was forme<l in 1808, at which time 
Kenuett Monthly Meeting was divided. Center Monthly being com- 
posed of Center and Hockessin, at which places the Monthly meet- 
ing was alternately held. 

AVest Chester Meeting was establishe<l about 1810, the Friends 
there desiring at that time to erect a meeting-house; but their 
desires did not take tangible shape until 1812, they iu the mean- 
time holding meetings in a school-house. Their ueAV meeting- 
house was first occupied in 1813. It stood on High Street, and 
in 1868 was considerably eularged to accommodate the increas- 
ing attendance, and also the Quarterly Meeting. 

The Orthodox Friends, when they separated from the other 
body, for a time held their meetings in the house of George G. 
Ashbridge; but iu 1830 they erected a meeting-house at the 
northwest corner of Church aud (Chestnut streets, which was 
opened on the 26th of the 12th month, that year. In 1841 they 
built a neat stone meeting-house ou the northeast corner of the 
same streets. 

East Sadsbury Meeting, not now held, was established about 
1810, and was located near Buck Eun aud the Lancaster Pike. 



754 CHESTER COUNTY 

Loudon Grove Moutbly Meeting was divided in 1811, and Fal- 
lowfield Monthly Meeting established, with Fallowfield and Doe 
Run Meetings. After 1828 the Orthodox Friends who had 
previously belonged to the Fallowfield Monthly Meeting returned 
to London Grove Monthly Meeting. 

Kennett Square Meeting w^as held first in 1812, at the 
house of John Phillips, just west of Kennett Square. In 1814 a 
meeting-house was erected and the meeting fully established. 

Birmingham Monthly Meeting- was formed with West Ches- 
ter and Birmingham Meetings as branches, and was first held in 
1815. Previously these two branches had belonged to Concord 
Monthly Meeting. 

Whiteland Meeting was first held in a meeting-house built in 
East Whiteland in 181G; but it was not until 1818 that the meet- 
ing was fully established. A preparative meeting was estab- 
lished in 1822, and in 1878 the membership w^as transferred to 
Malvern Meeting and the former house closed. 

Nottingham Quarterly Meeting was held at East Xottingham 
Meeting in 1819, and was composed of Xottingham, Little Britain 
and Deer Creek Monthly Meetings. This is a branch of Balti- 
more Yearly Meeting. 

Penn's Gi'ove Meeting-house was erected in 1833. A short 
time previous to 1828 New Garden Monthly Meetii^g granted per- 
mission to a few Friends to hold meetings at the house of Josepli 
Brown, which in 1828 were transferred to the house of Samuel 
Hadley, and in 1833 to the house erected as above mentioned. 

Little Elk Meeting was established in 1825 and a house 
erected in 1826. This meeting belongs to the Baltimore Yearly 
Meeting. 

Homesville Meeting-house was erected in 1839, the Friends 
holding meetings here having previously held them in a school- 
house at Colerain, Lancaster County. 

London Britain Meeting was first held in 1831, in the house 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 755 

of Eichai'd Cbambers in White Clay Hundred, and in this year 
the Friend.s interested purchased a piece of hind near Stricker- 
ville, upon which they erected a meeting-house. 

Unionville Meeting was formed about 1845, in which year 
the Friends belonging thereto erected a meeting-house, they hav- 
ing belonged to Kenuett and London Grove Monthly Meetings. 

Eomansville Meeting-house was built about 1846. When 
the division in the Society occurred in 1827, the Orthodox Friends 
retained the Bradford house, and the other Friends built a meet- 
ing-house on an adjoining lot. This house lasted them until 
1846, when theA' built the present one, as mentioned above. 

Oxford Meeting-house was erected in 1879, the Friends here 
having, by permission of Penn's Grove and Nottingham Monthly 
Meetings, previously held meetings at Oxfox'd. The new house 
was opened for service on November 9, 1879. 

Malvern Meeting-house was erected in 1879, of serpentine 
stone, and in the wiuter of 1879-80 the Whitelaiid Meeting was 
transferred thereto. The first meeting was held in this house 
February 15, 1880. 

Longwood Me|pting-house was erected in the later forties, 
upon a piece of laud donated for the purpose by .John Cox, in East 
Malborough. The purpose in the erection of this meeting-house 
was general, but most of those interested in the carrv-ing out of 
this purpose Avere Friends. It seemed to tliem that more active 
efforts should be made in the cause of humanity and human 
rights, and they determined to hold meetings for the promulga- 
tion of their views, and in this they were aided by prominent 
philanthropists. They considered slavery and intemperance two 
of the greatest evils then afflicting the country. They stjded 
themselves "Progressive Friends," and their central idea was that 
of progress in whatever might benefit humanity. From 1853 on- 
ward for many years a Yearly Meeting was held in this meeting- 
house, at which some of the most able and eloquent speakers de- 



756 CHESTER COUNTY 

livered orations or made more commonplace addresses. Among 
the sjieakers Avere such persons as Lucretia Mott, William Lloyd 
Garrison, Theodore Parker, Frederick Douglas, Oliver Johnson, 
Charles (\ Burleigh, Mary Gi'ew and Abby Kelly Foster, be- 
sides a large number of i^eople from Chester and adjoining coun- 
ties. 

In connection with the meeting there was laid out a cemetery. 

That there are two divisions of the Society of Friends in 
Chester County cannot be overlooked. This fact is one for which 
the historian is not responsible, but he is responsible for a fair 
and truthful, even though brief, statement of the origin and re- 
sults of the schism leading up to the division in the Society, which 
division is a matter of regret to many, even down to the present 
day. 

From the fact that human nature is what it is it might be in- 
ferred that the division was not the work of a day. For many 
years the operation of the minds of the members of the Society^ 
of Friends, variously affected by various environments, led to dif- 
ferent conclusions as to doctrinal teachings. The coming event 
<.*ast its shadows before for many years, observers in England, Ire- 
land and America perceiving the causes and jiointing them out in 
clear language and with great concern. These causes were 
enumerated to some degree as follows: The fascinations of worldly 
life; the dread of sufferings to be inflicted by the enemies of the 
Truth; a state of lethargy within the Society itself; a sad 
ignorance of the fundamental truths or principles of the Society; 
their perversion on the part of a portion of the members; a relaxed 
and inefficient exercise of the discipline of the Society; its main- 
tenance in a formal, legal and lifeless manner; a reckless spirit 
of "free inquiry;" a presumptuous determination not to believe 
what was not understood; the Deistical writings of Joseph 
Priestley; a worldly spirit and a lukewarm state of feeling as to 
the standard of truth; self-exaltation and spiritual pride on the 



AND IT8 PEOPLE. 757 

part of a portion of the ministers; and more than all else, per- 
haps, the infiueuoe of the institution of slavery. 

A remarkable dilference of opinion sprang up in Ireland in 
the year 1797, whirh made the schism painfully manifest to those 
who desired unity and harmony within the Society. In the answer 
to the Queries from the several monthly meetings came in an 
answer from Carlow, which differed from the others in the omis- 
sion of the word "holy" from the phrase "Holy Scriptures." The 
defense of this omission was that if the Scriptures were to be 
denominated "holy," then all other writings proceeding from the 
same Spirit must also be called "holy." Those who objected to the 
epithet "holy" in this connection also believed that Christ was a 
good man because he was wholly obedient to the Inner Light, or 
the light which lighteth every nian that cometh into the world. In 
time this same ]>arty publicly declared their unbelief in the Di- 
vine authority of the Scriptures, discarded the doctrine of the 
atonement of Christ and attempte«l t(» abolish the comely order of 
the discijdine long established among the Friends. 

This brief narrative is here presented, in order to show that 
although Elias Hicks, after whom the independent branch of the 
Societj- of Friends has since been named may have been origi- 
nal in his thinking, was not in point of fact the originator of 
the views that now for the most part distinguish those who are 
looked upon as his followers. The views taken of several of the 
orthodox doctrines by Elias Hicks have sometimes been denomi- 
nated the liicksian or Kationalistic system. The main differences 
between the Orthodox and Hicksite Friends may be stated as 
follows: The former affirm and the latter deny the following 
propositions: The miraculous birth of Christ; the divine Sonship 
and Mediatorship of Christ; His atoning sacrifice on the cross; 
the existence of such places as Heaven and Hell; that the Scrip- 
tures were given by the special inspiration of the Deity; but the 
latter do not insist upon uniformity of opinion cm these points as 
■essential. 



758 CHESTER COUNTY 

Both branches alike dispense with the sacraments and with a 
regular ordained ministry. Both believe in the doctrine of the 
inner light, and both practice the patient waiting upon God in 
silence. 

During Elias Hicks' ministry and travels he was several 
times in Chester County and the counties adjoining, and it is not 
to be wondered at that several of those adhering to orthodox 
views should attempt to show to him the error of his ways, ac- 
cording to their way of thinking. Among those who thus la- 
bored with him was "an ancient and venei'able Friend, Willia7n 
Jackson, a minister, of London Grove, in Pennsylvania." William 
Jackson was greatly astonished at the expression of such senti- 
ments as those entertained by Elias Hicks, such as that Christ 
suffered as a martyr, that he was the son of Joseph and Mary, that 
Spirit could only beget spirit, and that the account we have of 
the creation is the account of Moses, oiily, and is allegorical. 
Upon this declaration it is reported that William Jackson left 
him with a heavy heart. William Jackson was of the thii*d gen- 
eration from Isaac Jackson, the original emigrant of this family 
from Ireland, in 1725. 

But it was impossible to check the movement which resulted 
in the division of the Society into two bodies. In the winter of 
1826-27 Elias Hicks made a visit to Philadelphia, and the appre- 
hensions of many members of the Society were then fully con- 
firmed, as his presence there tended to animate his adherents in 
the pursuit of those measures which I'esulted a few months later 
in the separation. Among those who labored zealously for the 
separation was John Comly, a minister of Byberry, near Phila- 
delphia. It was at the Select Yearly Meeting, held on the 14th 
of the 4th month, 1827, that after careful consideration, William 
Jackson suggested that a committee be appointed to visit the 
Select Quarterly and Preparative meetings and endeavor to ex- 
tend such advice and assistance as might conduce to the health 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 759- 

of the body and the welfare of individuals. This su<i'S'Cstion was 
accepted, but on the 18th of the same month John Comlj- at- 
tempted to have the appointment rescinded, failing in which he 
bade the meeting an affectionate farewell. 

In the Yearly Meeting there was great difficulty over the elec- 
tion of a clerk, Avhich seized to separate the two parties more 
than before, and_at length, in the evening of the 20th of the 
month, those who had striven to elect John Comly clerk held a 
meeting, at which an address was adopted which recognized that 
a division existed in the Society, "developing in its progress views 
which appear incompatible with each other, and feelings averse 
to a reconciliation. Doctrines held by one part of society, and 
which we believe to be sound and edifying, are pronounced by 
the other part to be unsound and spurious. From this has re- 
sulted a state of things that has proved destructive of peace and 
tranquility, and in which the fruits of love and condescension have 
been blasted, and the comforts and enjoyments even of social in- 
tercourse greatly diminished." But the Yearly Meeting closed 
without a formal separation. 

But those who had favored Mr. Comly for clerk of the Yearly 
Meeting were not satisfied to remain in religious communion with 
those they considered as having introduced and who seemed dis- 
posed to continue disorders, and they therefore proposed holding 
a Yearly Meeting for Friends in unity with them, and invited 
such Quarterly and Monthly Meetings as were prepared to do so 
to appoint representatives to meet in Philadelphia, on the third 
second-day of the tenth month ensuing, that is, on October 10, 1827. 

Those who thus separated from the Society rapidly increased 
their numbers and took possession of the meeting-houses to such 
an extent that, according to William Hodgson, in his "The So- 
ciety of Friends in the Nineteenth Century," there were in Penn- 
sylvania but very few meeting-houses left to the Society, ex- 
cept four or five in the city of Philadelphia. The same difficulty 



76o CHESTER COUNTY 

was felt all over the couuti'j' where there were members of the 
Societies of Friends, for the next few years, and it was plain that 
nothing but an absolute separation could restore harmony, each 
division enjoying harmony within itself, but not when in meetings 
with each other. 

As to the number of the respective members of the two 
brunches at the time of the division, it may be stated that it U 
now estimated that in Chester County there were about 3,000 be- 
longing to the orthodox branch and 13,000 belonging to the Hicks- 
ite branch. In the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, to which both 
branches belonged in 1829, according to the account submitted 
by Halliday Jackson, on the part of the Hicksites, the whole num- 
ber of members of botli parties was 26,258, of whom 18,485 were 
Hicksites, 7,341 Orthodox, and 429 neutral. 

With regard to the meeting-houses in Chester County, it 
i-auuot be definitely stated to which branch several of them belong. 
Some of them have ever been used, as it were, conjointly by both 
branches, and some are not used at all. Others are held by the 
Orthodox branch and still others by the Hicksite branch. Where 
it Avas impossible to agree to use the property conjointly the one 
branch Avhich had to vacate the meeting-house has in some cases 
erected a separate meeting-house, as is the case in Loudon Grove 
and in West Chester, the Hicksite branch in the latter place hold 
ing the meeting-house <m the hill on North High Street, while the 
Orthodox branch erected for themselves a building on Chestnut 
and Church Streets. Throughout the county, besides the meeting- 
house in West Chester, the orthodox Friends have houses at 
Goshenville, which, however, is not now in use; at Malvern, built 
shortly before 1890; at Birmingham, Parkersville, Kennett Square, 
London Grove, New Garden, West Grove, Strickersville and Mar- 
shalltou, aud possibly one or two others. The Hicksite Friends, 
upon the division being made, were, as stated above, largely in the 
majority in Chester Couuty, and retained most of the meeting- 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 761 

houses for that reason. They now have houses at West Chester, 
(loshenville, Willistown, Birmingham, Marlborough, Old Keunett, 
Kennett Square, Uuionville, London Grove, New Garden, West 
Grove, Ereildoun, Doe Run, Penu's Grove, Homeville, Oxford, Lion- 
ville, Cain, Eomansville, Schuylkill and Valley Meeting-house. 
There is also a house at Little Cain and Hickory Hill. 

It appears altogether probable that Catholics came to Penn- 
sylvania as early as 1708, and the fact that some of these religion- 
ists were located in the Province gave considerable annoyance to 
William Penn in tJie English court, but still he never made any 
attempt to suppress them; and it has been thought by s(mie that 
it was ou this account that he was looked upon in certain quar- 
ters as a Jesuit in disguise. The first Catholic Church in Penn- 
sylvania was St. Joseph, mentioned about 1730, and in 1737 there 
were Catholics in most if not all of the counties in the eastern 
part of the State, including Chester Sounty, of course. 

But the growth of the Catholic Chui'ch in Pennsylvania A^as 
quite slow during the eighteenth century, and also during the 
early part of the nineteenth century, because of the antagonism 
to it felt in the minds of the proprietors of the Province and by 
some of the people, as is shown in the instructi(ms to the colonial 
governors in 1738, in 1703 and in 1700. The 0th article of those 
instructions is as follows: 

"Whereas the said Province and counties were happily at first 
.settled and afterward subsisted without any considerable mix- 
ture of Papists, it is with concern we now hear that of late times 
I'apists liave resorted thither. Now as their Political Principles 
(which they ever inculcate as Religious Princi])les) tend to the 
breach of public Faith, are destructive to morality and totally 
subvert every civil and Religious Right of a Free People, We 
recommend it to you to prevent as much as in you lies the coming 
in or settling of Papists within your government, and that you do 
not extend any Privileges to them nor admit any of them into any 
office, post or Employment whatsoever within your Government." 



762 CHESTER COUNTY 

In 1757 there were in Chester County the following numbers 
of Catholics: Under the care of Robert Harding, 18 men and 22 
women; under the care of Theodore Schneider (Germans), 13 men 
and 9 women; and of Irish, 9 men and 6 women; under the care 
of Ferdinand Farmer, Irish, 23 men and 17 women, and of Ger- 
mans, 3 men. Owing to the antagonism above notetl the Catholics 
in this county existed only in small groups in different parts of the 
country; but in later years the numbers of Catholics have so in- 
creased that now they are one of the strongest religious bodies in 
the county. 

The first Catholic Church erected in West Chester was called 
"Christ's Church," a little chapel at the west end of Gay street, 
erected in 1793, in which mass was occasionallj- offered up. From 
that time on until about 1840 the priest holding services therein 
came out from Philadelphia, and on such occasions the Catholics 
of the surrounding country came in from miles around to attend 
services. In the meantime missionaries or priests were ac- 
customed to travel through the county, holding services and say- 
ing mass at farm-houses and such other places as were con- 
venient, wherever a group of members could be gathered to- 
gether, but about the year last named Bishop Kendrick of I'hila- 
delphia sent out the Eev. D. D. Donahoe to West Chester as a 
pei'manent pastor. The name St. Agnes Avas adopted in the year 
1853, the Rev. Father Donahoe remaining with the church until 
1851, on the 20th of June of which year Rev. John Francis Preu- 
dergast entered this field of service and labored therein success- 
fully for twenty years. At this time the following parishes were 
attached to the West Chester Church: Parkesburg, Downingtown, 
Doe Run, in Chester County; Ivy Mills, in Delaware County, and 
a parish in Lancaster County. 

After remaining in West Chester a few months Rev. Father 
Prendergast began the erection of a church at Downingtown, which, 
was named St. Joseph's, and which was dedicated in 1852. In 



slXD ITS PEOPLE. 763 

August of that year the corner-stone of St. Agues' Church was 
laid, the first mass was celebrated therein in May, 1853, and th(? 
church was dedicated iu .juue following, the Rev. Dr. Moriai'ty, 0. 
S. A., officiating. St. Main's Sodarity was organized iu 1857. 
Eev. Father Prendergast and Rev. Johu Wall both lie buried in 
the cemetei'y of this church, and the Rev. S. B. Spaulding came to 
the church in tlie year 1885, remaining here until the present time. 
William Barrett, in his history of the church, states that in the 
autumn of 1893, when the centenary of the church was celebrated, 
during a mission held by the Jesuit Fathers, Rev. F. A. Smith, Rev. 
M. O. Kane, and Rev. J. Goediug, and which lasted eight days, 
1,457 confessions were made, and 1,310 communions, from which it 
may be estimated that noAV the members aggregate upward of 1,500 
iu number, many of them, as in the days of old, coming in from 
the country. The Sunday-school has about 250 members. The 
principal church societies are the following: The Temperance 
and Benevolent Society, organized in 1873, May 4, and having now 
a membership of 110; the Cadets" Temperance Society, organized 
in 1874, and having now a membership of 70; the Catholic Mutual 
Burial Society, organized in 1887, and now having a membership of 
150; the League of the Sacred Heart, organized in 1892, and now- 
having a membership of 800; the Independent Catholic Benevolent 
Union Society, organized in 1892, and now having a membership 
of 100, and the Angel Sodarity, for boys and girls, organized in 
1893, and at the present time having a membership of 100. St. 
Mary's Sodarity has at present a membership of 275. 

The property of the church is as follows: The church build- 
ing, worth 125,000; the parochial school, worth |2,500; the Joseph 
J. Lew^is mansion, worth -15,000, and the parochial residence, worth 
18,000; total value of the property, |40,500. The i)arochial school 
is attended by about 250 scholars and has five teachers. 

, In Phoenixville the Catholics at first occupied the Tunnel Hill 
School-house, then recently abandoned by the Episcopalians, 



764 CHESTER COVXTY 

their Hist pa.stoi' being IJev. P. D. Doualiiie. In 1841 they ereeteil 
their chnreh building, and the church for many years was in charge 
of Eev. Patrick O'Farrell, wlio died in 1868. He was succeeded 
that year by Pev. Father Scanlan, who enlarged the church and 
made it into the form of a cross. The next pastor was Kev. Father 
Martin, who was succeeded by Rev. Father Lynch. The present 
priest in Pev. Father John A. Wagner, and the congregation uum- 
bers about thirty-three hundred communicants. 

The Catholic Church at present in use at Coatesville, St. 
Cecilia's, was erected in 1870-71, the corner-stone having been laid 
December 11, 1870, during the pastorate of Pev. Charles McFad- 
den, and it was dedicated November 22, 1874, by the Most Pev. 
James F. AYood, archbishop of the diocese of Philadelphia. 
Previous to this time services had been held in Midway, in Me- 
chanics' Hall. The old parish, of which Coatesville was only a 
mission, was named Our Lady of the Seven Dolors, Parkesburg, 
the priest residing at the latter place, and from there as a center 
attending the missions all around from Dry Wells and McCall's 
Ferry, in Lancaster County, to Coatesville, Doe Pun, West Grove, 
Oxford and the country round down to the Maryland line. Pev. 
L. V. McCabe succeeded Father McFadden, and was himself suc- 
ceeded hj Pev. James Brehony, by Pev. James Nash, by Rev. M. C. 
Donovan, by Rev. Hugh Garvey and by the present pastor, Pev. 
J. A. Calahau. 

A little church building was erected at Doe Pun in 1835, but it 
was replaced by a larger one in 1865. It was attended from West 
Chester until the church in Parkesburg was built, in 1855, from 
which time on the church in Doe Pun was attended from Parkes- 
burg. Early in the seventies West Grove, Oxford and the lower 
part of the county were cut away. The first resident priest at 
Parkesburg was Pev, Father Doyle, who from the time of his 
establishment here, in 1855, attended the church at Coatesville 
once in three or four weeks; but as the number of Catholics in- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 765 

creased in and around Coatesville it became necessary to erect a 
churcli for tlieir accommodaticni in 1870, and at tliat time tlie 
seat of the parish was located at Coatesville, Parkesbnrg becominy; 
the mission. The new church at Coatesville was called St. Cecilia, 
and it was dedicated at the time above given under the pastorate 
of Rev. L. McCabe. The church at Doe Kun, formerly known iis 
the Church of St. Catherines, is now known as the Church of St. 
Malachi. 

The corner-stone of St. Cecilia's Churcli was laid December 
11, 1870, by the late Kioht Rev. Archbishop Wood, and the build- 
ing itself was dedicated November 22, 1874. Rev. James A. Bre- 
hony succeeded Rev. Father McCabe, and remained two years. 
Rev. James Nash was pastor of this church ten years and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. M. C. Donovan, being himself succeeded by Rev. 
Hugh Garvey. 

St. Patiick's Roman Catholic Church of Kennett Square was 
established as a mission in 1868, in which year a building was 
erected on South Side, and first opened for services December 2o, 
18G8. Rev. Mr. McElroy was pastor for some time, and subse- 
quently Rev. James F. Kelly of West Grove made visits to this 
congregation once in two weeks. The parish was organized in 
1893 and the present pastor. Rev. John H. O'Donnell, placed in 
charge. One of the finest building sites in Kennett Square was 
purchased and upon it a modern and commodious parochial resi- 
dence was built, and it is now in contemplation to erect a church 
building at an early date. 

St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Downiugtown was organized in 
August, 18G9, when Rev. N. Bowden took charge. There had, 
however, been services there from 1850, and also at Gallagherville. 
Some time afterward Rev. John Prendergast organized a parish 
there and said mass for the people once a month. The first mass 
in Downingtowu was said in a private house, still standing on 
Bradford Avenue, near the railway station. Later sei-vices were 



766 CHE.STER COUNTY 

held iu a large room iu the third story of 3Iichael McFadden's 
house, close to the railway station, aud in this room Rev. Mr. 
Premlergast said mass monthly until St. Joseph's parish was or- 
ganized, as above stated. The chun/h building was erected in 
1852, being then, however, only half its pi'esent size. The corner- 
stone of this church was laid by very Rev. E. J. Sourin, V. G., and 
Rev. Father O'Keefe of Philadelphia, stationed at St. Philip's 
Church, officiated. Rev. Father Prendergast went to Europe in 
1867, remaining a year, and during his absence the congregation 
was attended monthly by Rev. Father Maroney, from West Ches- 
ter. After the return of Father Prendergast he was assisted by 
Father Moouey, who was afterward stationed at St. Malachi's 
Church, Philadelphia, where he died. 

Iu 1SG9, owing to the increase in the size of the congregation, 
the Church was enlarged and otherwise improved. Still later 
Father Prendergast w-as assisted by Father Maginn, who also oc- 
casionally attended in Dowuiugtown, until Rev. Nicholas Bowdeu 
was appointed resident pastor. A house just south of the church 
was secured as a pastoral residence, and in this house Father 
Bowdeu lived until his death, in 1871. The present fine residence 
was erected on the site of that building by Rev. James Maginn. 
In 1872 Father Maginn took charge of the parish, remaining until 
1886, and about this time ground was secured for a cemetery. In 
July, 1886, Rev. Thomas Toner was appointed to succeed Father 
Maginn aud remained until his death in 1892. Succeeding Father 
Magiuu came Rev. J. J. McAnany, who remained until 1891, when 
Hey. James O'Reilly came to the church and still remains. He has 
greatly improved the church, has remodeled .the sanctuary, fres- 
coed the entire interior, built a ueAV sacristy on the north side of 
the church and has added a handsome front porch. Three beauti- 
ful altars adorn the sanctuary, and on each of these altars is placed 
a fine statue, impoi'ted from Europe and presented to the church 
bv Mrs. Margaret Murphy, a member of the congregation. A 







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AND ITS PEOPLE. 7^7 

fiue bell is in the tower of the church, which is much admired for 
its sweetness of tone. It is the gift of Michael Murphy of Milford 
Mills, Chester County. 

There are two out missions attached to St. Joseph's parish — 
St. Mary's, at Glenloch, and St. Thomas', at Reilly's Banks. 
Father O'Reilly is ai^sisted by the Rev. Father Martin Gorman. 

The Church of St, Francis de Sales at Landenburg was es- 
tablished in 1893, the building being erected the same year, a frame 
on a stone foundation, which will seat 250 people, and which cost 
13,300. The church was erected by Rev. James F. Kelly and it 
was dedicated October 21, 1893. Then Father Kelly was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. John O'Donnell of Kennett Square, who has had 
charge of both parishes ever since. The membership consists of 
about twenty-five families. 

West Grove Catholic Church building stands on Evergreen 
Street at the head of Prospect Street. It is 60x41 feet in size, in 
the clear, and two stories high, including the basement It is of 
brick and cost .$11,000. In 1897 a tower was erected at a cost of 
$750, and a bell was placed in this tower in July, 1898, anc* conse- 
crated by Archbishop Ryan of Philadelphia on Sunday, July 3, 
1898. The membership of this church is now 400. 

Oxford Catholic Church is merely a mission from the West 
Grove Church. The building at Oxford is of brick, 70x28 feet in 
size, and cost |3,500. It was erected in 1877. The membership 
is now 150. 

Tlie Presbyterians of Chester County are in reality the descen- 
dants of the early Scotch-Irish settlers, who were animated by 
the same spirit which led to the American Revolution. Unable 
to bear the oppressions of their English King, they sought by a 
change of residence to find a field of greater liberty. Hence they 
sought Pennsylvania, where they were welcomed by the Friends, 
who were then the most liberal in their views upon religious sub- 
jects of any of those professing Christian sentiments. 
45 



768 CHESTER COUNTY 

The oldest Presbyterian Ohurcli iu Chester County is the Great 
Valley Presbyterian (liiircli, located in Tredyffrin Township, 
which was reonlarly organized in 1714. The membership was 
made np of Welsh and Scotch-Irish, and the tirst minister was Rev. 
Malachi Jones, who preached for this church until 1720, when he 
was succeeded by Eev. David Evans, who was pastor of the church 
for about twenty years. In 1720 a church buildinc; was erected 
which stood for more than seventy years. Succeeding Eev. Mr. 
Evans in the pulpit of this church came Eev. John Eowland, to 
whom there was strong opposition, which resulted in his being- 
debarred from preaching in the church by the "Old Side" members, 
a majority' of the membership being of the opinions known as "old 
side" by the religionists of that day. However, Eev. Mr. Eowland 
preached to the minority of the congregation in barns and such 
other places as could be utilized for the purpose, until a new 
church building could be erected for them. The foundations of 
this church were laid in 1713, on a lot given by Job Harvey, a 
Friend. 

The next preacher of the Great Valley Presbyterian Church 
was Eev. Samuel Evans, a son of Eev. David Evans, who was in- 
stalled in 1712, and who remained until 1717. Eev. John Kiu- 
kead was installed pastor in 1753, and Eev. John Simonton in 
1761, he remaining until 1791. 

The church established by Eev. John Eowland, called the 
Charlestown Presbyterian Church, in 1743, maintained a separate 
existence until 1791, having had as pastors Eevs. John Campbell, 
John Griffith, Benjamin Chestnut, John Cannichael and Daniel 
McCalla, returned at this latter date to the Great Valley Church, 
the reunion being effected by Eev. John Gummel, who remained 
with the church until 1798. Where Eev. William Latta was pastor 
of the Great Valley, in 1799, a new church building was erected 
in 1793, and the Eev. Mr. Latta remained with this church until 
his death, which occurred in 1847. The next pastor was Eev. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 769 

William E. Bingham, from February 28, 1848, imtil Jamiary :'., 
1859. Then came Rev. Robert M. Patterson, installed August 2", 
1859, and remaining until 18(*)7; Rev. Edward P. Hebert.on, ti-din 
April 13, 18G8 until October 11, 1871; Rev. Samuel Fulton, in- 
stalled October 18, 1872, and remaining until 1881; Rev. Robert 
M. Patterson, D. D., LL. D., 1885 to the present time. The present 
membership of this church is 108. 

The Cliarlestown again separated from the Great Valley upon 
the resignation of Rev. Mr. Bingham, and in 1859 united with the 
Phoenixville Presbyterian Church. Aften\ard it united with the 
East Whiteland Presbyterian Church during the pastorate of Rev. 
John Cylde, again uniting with the Phoenixville Church. 

Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church, one mile north of 
Parkesburg, was organized in 1720, and for four years was served 
by Revs. David Evans and David Magill. The first regular pastor 
was Rev. Adam Boyd, who came to the church in 1721, being in- 
stalled October 13. In 1711 this church, like others in this 
county, was divided into two branches by the "Old Side" and "New 
Side" controversy, a new church being organized by the New 
Siders, named the Second Congregation of Upper Octorara, of 
which latter church Rev. Andrew Sterling was pastor from 1747 to 
1765. Rev. Mr. Boyd remained with the old church during the di- 
vision, which was terminated in 1708, the two churches then be- 
coming one again, and Rev. Mr. Boyd remained pastor of the re- 
united body until his death, November 23, 1768. A son of his, Col. 
Andrew Boyd, was a lieutenant of Chester County during the 
Revolutionary War. 

Rev. William Foster became pastor of this church almost im- 
mediately after the death of Mr. Boyd, and remained until his 
death, September 30, 1780. Rev. Alexander Mitchell succeeded 
him, and remained until 1796, dying December 6, 1812. In 1810 
Rev. James Latta was installed pastor and remained until 1850, 
the present church edifice being erected during his pa^itorate. 



770 CHESTER COUNTY 

Siuoe tlien the following have beeu pastors: Revs. James M. 
Crowell, Alexander Reed, John Jay Pomeroy, William B. Reed; 
James A. Marshall, Maj 29, 1897, to August 31, 1886; Matthew C. 
Woods, December 19, 1887, to January 20, 1889, and Thomas R. 
McDowell, May 22, 1889, to the present time. 

On September 11, 1870, this church celebrated its sesqui-ceu- 
tennial anniversary, on which occasion J. Smith Futhey delivered 
an historial address, from which much of the matter here pre- 
sented was taken. On September 1, 1895, the church celebrated 
its oue hundred and seventy-fifth anuiversai-y, at which there were 
present about 2,500 people. The membership of the church at the 
present time is 460, and of the Sunday-school 175, the church 
property being valued at -f 40,000. 

Fagg's Manor Tresbyterian Church, at first called New Lon- 
donderry Presbyterian Church, was established in 1730, the build 
inii" standing on the northwest corner of what was known as Sir 
John Fagg's Manor. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel Blair, from 
1740 to his death, June 5, 1751. He was succeeded by his brother, 
Rev. John Blair, who remained until 1767, after which time the 
■church had no regular pastor until 1781, when Rev. John Evans 
Fiuley was installed. He remained until 1793, and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Patrick Davidson. The next pastor was Rev. Rob- 
ert White, who was installed in 1809, and remained until his death, 
September 20, 1835. Rev. Alfred Hamilton came next, remaining 
from March, 1836, until May, 1859, the present church edifice be- 
ing erected during his incumbency. Since his removal to the West 
the pastors have beeu : Revs. J. T. Umsted, William B. Noble, .John 
K. Andrews, 1881-83; Joseph L. Polk, Ph. D., 1885 to the present 
time. The present membership of this church is 389 and of the 
Sundaj'-school, includiug officers and teachers, 603. 

Rock Presbyterian Church, first kuowu as Elk ICiver Pres- 
byterian Church, was organized in 1720, its first house of wor- 
ship being erected at what is known as the "Stone Graveyard," in 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 771 

Lewlsville, Elk Towusliip. The secoud building was erected by 
the "New Side" people in 1741, at "Stump's Graveyard," at Fair 
Hill, Cecil County, Maryland. Its third chiuch was erected at Us 
present location in Cecil County, Maryland. 

Xew London Presbyterian Church was organized March 20, 
1728, it having separated from the Rock Church in 1726. The first 
pastor was Kev. Samuel Gelster, who preached for a short time 
after September, 1728. Next came Eev. Francis Alison, installed 
about 173G, and removed to Philadelphia about 1752. The second 
church edifice was erected about 1744, but from the time of the re- 
tirement of Eev. Mr. Alison, there was no regular pastor until ( >c- 
tober 15, 1771, .when Eev. James AYilson was installed, and served 
until October 27, 1778. Next came Rev. Eobert Graham, installed 
December 13, 1809, and succeeded by Eev. Eovert Patterson Du 
Bois, who was installed November 20, 183(i, and remained until 
November 1, 187G. Ik'ev. B. F. Meyers became pastor April 24, 1877, 
and remained until April 8, 1879, being succeeded by Eev. Daniel 
E. Workman, October 23, 1879, who remained until 1883; Rev. 
James B. Clark, 1884-86; Eev. William Hayes Moore, 1889-90; Eev. 
Daniel E. Jenkins, 1891-96; Eev. Henry E. Jackson, 1897, and Eev 
Charles E. Williamson, 1898. The present church membership is 
180, and of tlie Sunday-school, inclndiug officers and teachers, 124. 
Doe Eun Presbyterian Church was organized in 1740, and its 
building was erected tlie same year in East Fallowfield Township 
on the Strasburg Eoad. This organization belonged to the "New 
Side" Presbyterian branch. For the first seven years of its exist- 
ence it had no regular pastor, the supplies being sent from the 
New Side Presbytery^ of New Castle, but in 1747 Eev. Andrew 
Sterling became pa.stor, and remained pastor of this and the Sec- 
ond Congregation of Upper Octoraro about eighteen years. In 1768 
Eev. Mr. Foster became pastor of the two churches, giving Doe Euu 
about one-fourth of his time. In 1785 Eev. Alexander Mitchell 
came to this church, dividing his time as his predecessors had done 



772 CHESTER COUNTY 

between the two, and reniainerl until 179G with the Octoraro 
Church and with Doe Kun until 1809. Eev. Samuel Henderson be- 
came pastor in 1813, remaining about one vear, and Eev. Elkanah 
Kelsej' Dare was then pastor from May 13, 1817, until August 26, 
1826. Since then the pastors have been Revs. Alexander G. Morri- 
son, John Wynne Martin, D. D., .John V. Clarke, Thomas Thompson, 
Eobert E. Flickiuger, Samuel Philips, and Van Derveer V. Nicho- 
las, 1893-97. The membership of the church is 119 and of the Sun- 
day-school 144. 

Braudywine Manor Presbyterian Church was organized as a 
separate congregation in 1735, the first pastor being the Eev. Sam- 
uel Bljvck, who was installed November 10, 1736, and remained until 
May, 1741. In this year the churcli became divided into an "Okl 
Side" and a "Xew Side" branch, the latter branch erecting for 
themselves a new house of worship. Eev. Adam Boyd was pastor 
of the former branch until about 1743, Avhen he was succeeded by 
Eev. William Dean, who remained until 1760, wlien the two 
branches reunited and Eev. John Carmichael became pastor, being 
installed April 21, 1761, and remaining until his death November 
15, 1785. The cliurch was int'orporated September 1, 1786, and 
Eev. Nathan drier became pastor August 22, 1787, and he remained 
until his death, March 30, 1814, being then succeeded by his son, 
Eev. John Nathan Caldwell Grier, who remained from 1814 until 
April 14, 1869. The pastorate of his father and himself extended 
over a period of eighty-two years. Since tlien the ijastors have been 
Eevs. W. W. Heberton, John McCall, and Hector A. McLean, tlie 
present pastor. The membership of this church is now 300, and of 
the Sunday-school, including officers and teachers, 329. 

The church building erected in 1761 was bunaed down and re- 
built in 1786, and in 1839 tlie house was rebuilt and remodeled. In 
1875 the old building was taken down, and in 1876 a new one 
erected, at the time being the most complete and convenient of any. 
Presbyterian Church in Chestei- County. It was dedicated Decem- 



AXD TTS PEOPLE. 771 

ber 14, ISTO, and s'tands ou liij;li oToimd, si^'ii.U' an excellent view of 
the surronnding- country. 

The Oxford Presbyterian Chnrcli was established at the time 
of the union of the Associate Kefornied Church with the General 
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1822, as is related in the 
sketch of the Oxford United Presbyterian Church. Rev. Ebenezer 
Dickey connected himself with General Assembly of the Presbyte- 
rian Church, and remained pastor of it until 1832. He was suc- 
ceeded by his son. Rev. John Miller Dickey, in May of the latter 
year, who remained pastor until 185(5. Rev. James R. Reardon 
came next as a supply, the next regular pastor being Rev. Casper 
W. Hodge, who remained until 18(?0, being succeeded then by Rev. 
William R. Bingham, who remained imtil the summer of 1802. 
Rev. F. B. Hodge was installcKl in the spring of 18(i3 and remained 
until the fall of 1868, and it was during his pastorate that a new 
church building was erected on the old site at a cost of .|35,00U. 
Rev. Orr Lawson became x>astor in March, 1870, and was succeeded 
by Rev. M. W. Jacobus, and he by the Rev. Hugh L. Hodge. The 
membership of this church is about 600, and of the 8unday-school 
300, and the church ])roperty is worth about |30,000. 

Xottingham Presbyterian Church was organized with mem- 
bers formerly belonging to the Lower Nottingham Presbyterian 
Chui'ch in .Cecil County, Maryland, these members withdrawing 
because of a change in the location of the church building in which 
they had been accustomed to worship. Upon withdrawing they 
formed the Up])er West Xottingham Church, and erected a build- 
ing in 1802, which was enlarged in 1810. Dr. Samuel Magraw was 
pastor of this churcli until 1821, after which time it was supplied 
until 1826, when it was connected witli the Oxford Church, this 
connection remaining in force until the summer of 1862, when it be- 
came a separate church. The pastors since then have been Revs. 
William F. P. Xoble, Robert. Gamble, S. M. Pierce, Lindley C. Rut- 
ter, Jr., who was installed in 1872. In 1878-79 a new church build- 



774 CHESTER COUNTY 

ing was erected at Nottingham Station, and the name of the church 
organization changed to the Nottingham Presbyterian Church 
about 1880. Since then the pastors have been as follows: Edward 
W. Russell, Kent M. Bull, and John M. Jenkins. The church mem- 
bership is now 102, and that of the Sunday-school 100. 

Oxford United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1735, 
though not as a unit of the present connection. A small house of 
worship had been erected in this part of Chester County as early 
as 1739, *and this house was in use for many years before there was 
any organized body to occupy it. This church was organized in 
connection with the Associate Presbyterian Synod of Edinburgli, 
being one of the first of that brancli of the Presbyterian Church 
in the colonies. This synod in 1753 sent out two ministers, Kev. 
Alexander Gellatley and Ilev. Andrew Aruott, who left Scotland 
soon after receiving their ai^pointment, the latter returning to 
Scotland in 1755, and the former remaining in this country. While 
both were in this counti"}' they organized, as they had been in- 
structed to do, the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania, the prin- 
cipal' settlements of its adherents being at Octorai'o and at Oxford. 
From these two churches Eev. Mr. Gellatlej' received a call to be- 
come their pastor, and accepting the call he was pastor of both a 
short time, and of the Octoraro Church until his death in 1761. The 
next pastor of the Oxford Church, Rev. Matthew Henderson, came 
from Scotland, in 1758, and remained until 1775. The next regular 
pastor, Eev. Ebenezer Dickey, was installed in 1796, a union having 
in the meantime been effected between the Associate Presbyterian 
Church of Pennsylvania and the Reformed Presbyterian Church, 
the united bodies calling themselves the Associate Reformed 
Church, the union being effected June 13, 1782. The Oxford 
Church remained in this connection fortj' years. 

Rev. Mr. Dickey continued to preach for this church until 
1822, when at a small meeting of the General Synod of the As- 
sociate Reformed Church, a iirojected union with the General As- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 77S' 

sembly of the Presbyterian Church was declared cousumiuated, 
and the Associate Reformed >;>ynod dissolved. This was on May 
21, 1822. Several of the members of the Oxford Church declined 
to enter this uuiou thus effected, aud uniting with a number of 
others who in 1782 had stood out against the union they were re- 
ceived with the congregation of Octoraro, into the Associate Pres-^ 
byterj' of Philadkphia, and again taking the name of Associate^ 
Avhich they continued to bear until the union, May 2G, 1858, of the 
Associate and Associate Reformed Churches, when entering that 
union they took the name of the United Presbyterian Church, 
Thus this church, while it has beeu known under several different 
names, has always maintained the same principles. 

Succeeding Kev. Mr. Henderson the Rev. John Smith was pas- 
tor of this church from 1783 to 1791; Rev. Ebenezer Dickey from 
1796 to 1822; Rev. William Easton, D. D., from 1827 to 1851; Rev, 
J. H. Andrew from 1855 to 1863; Rev. E. T. .JefCers, D. D., from 1865 
to 1872; Rev. G. A. B. Robinson from 1873 to 1876; Rev. R. T. 
Wylie, from 1877 to 1880; Rev. A. H. Crosbie, from 1881 to 1887; 
Rev. W. M. Story, 1888 to 1891; Rev J. Leyda Vance, 1891 to 1892; 
Rev. A. P. Hutchson, 1892 to 1895; Rev. J. L. Hervey, 1896 (o 
1897, and Rev. McEhvee Ross, June 4, 1898, to the present time. 

The present brick church building was erected in Oxford in 
1851, and in the spring of 3 869 it was determined to build a parson- 
age, which together with a stable was erected for $3,900 and in 
1889 the congregation became entirely free from debt. The church 
property now consists of one acre of land in a growing part of the 
town, a good brick church, 10x00 feet, and a two-story brick par- 
sonage, 32x32 feet, the whole being worth |8,875. The membership 
of the church is now 95. 

The First Presbj-terian Church of West Chester was organized 
January 11, 1834, the field having been previously cultivated bv 
the Rev. William A. Steveus, and a house of worship was erected on 
the corner of Miner and Darlington Streets, which was opened for 



7/6 CHESTER COUNTY 

wortship in January, 1834. After the deatli of Rev. Mr. Stevens, 
wliieli occurred October 3, 1834, Kev. James J. Graff became pas- 
tor, being installed April 29, 1836, and the succeeding; pastors have 
been IJev. John Crowell, 1840 to 1850; Rev. William E. Moore, 
1850 to 1872; Kev. Benjamin T. Jones, January 15, 1873, to April 
11, 1883; Rev. John C. Cakhvell, October 10, 1883, to August 15, 
1891; and Rev. Washington R. Laird, November 17, 1892, to pres- 
ent time. 

On the division of the Presbj'terian Church into the Old au<l 
New Scho(ds, this church became a part of the New School Pres- 
byterian Chni'ch, and so remained until the reunion of the two 
branches in 1870. In 1860-61 the church building was enlarged by 
the addition of tAventy-five feet to its length, and in 1874 the pipe 
organ was removed from the gallery over the entrance to an alcove 
in the rear of the pulpit. In 1880 a parsonage was purchased on 
Miner Street at a cost of |7,000. The membership of this church 
at the present time is 513, and of the Sunday-school, 500. A chapel 
in the form of an "L" on tlie east and south sides of the cluirch 
building was erected in 1894-95, of brownstone, including audito- 
riimi, ladies' parlor and kitchen, the auditorium having a seating 
capacity of 1,000. The cost of this inqirovement was about |18,000. 

UilworthtoAAu Presbyterian Church was organized in April, 
1878, a building having been erected in 1877, at a cost of |4,417.15, 
tlie membershi]) having been gathered together through the efforts 
of the Presbyterians of West Chester. Rev. Hector Alexander Mc- 
Lean was pastor from September 9, 1878, until February 24, 1881. 
Since then the pastors have been Revs. Joel S. Giltillan, from April, 
1881, to September 27, 1887; Josiah L. Estlin, June 6, 1888, to May, 
1893, and Thomas AY. Pearson, installed June 28, 1894, and still re- 
mains. In 1885 a parsonage was built of greenstone, at a cost of 
f2,642.49, not considei-ing the work of members. A kitchen was 
added in 1889 at a cost of •*229, exclusive of the value of the stone, 
wliicli was given by Joseph Brinton. The principal contx-ibutor to 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 777 

building of the cliurch erected iu 1877, and to the maintenance of 
the organization since tlien was and lias been Mrs. Henry I. Biddle. 
Church nieiubership at the present time is about 75 and the Sunday- 
school has about 100 members. 

Coatesville Presbyterian Church Avas organized in 1833, the 
first building being erec-ted that year. This building was used by 
the Presbyterians, Baptist, Episcopalians, Methodists and Friends, 
but no minister was permitted to preach in it unless he could come 
well recommended as a member of one of the churches nanieti 
above. The constitution also ])rovided that no minister should re- 
ceive a salary for preaching iu that house, and tliat no collections 
should be taken up except for the incidental expenses of the con- 
gregation. This latter jirovisiou v.as, however, stricken out of the 
constitution by more than a two-thirds vote in 1838. In 1842 the 
trustees of the property were authorized to sell it to the Presbyte- 
rians, and it was conveyed to the Presbyterian Church at Coates- 
ville, September 20, 1843. This building was taken down in 1840, 
and a new one, 43x55 feet in size, erected, which was used until 
I860, and in this year and 1807 it was enlarged to its present size. 
In 1877 a neat stone chapel was erected at IJock Ivun for a Sunday- 
school and other religious purposes. 

From April, 1823, to 184G, Kev. Alexander G. Morrison was the 
I^astor of this church and of the Doe Run Church, at which time 
he became ]»astor of the Coatesville Church alone, and so continued 
until his death, October 20, 1870, although for the last three years 
of his life he took no active part in tlie ministry. He was followed 
by I\ev. James Roberts, who was called January 15, 1868, and was 
installed May 28, 1868, remaining with the church until 1885, and 
being succeeded by Rev. Henry A. MacKubbin, who remained nine 
years, and was succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. S. Harry 
Leeper, who was installed in September, 1S95. The membership 
of the church is about 519, and of the Sunday-school 618. The 
building stands at the corner of Main Street and Fourth Avenue, 



7/8 CHESTER COUNTY 

is a handsome stone structure, Avill seat (500 persons, and is valued 
at .?45,000. 

Honeybrook Presbyterian Church was organized November 
28, 1835. It was the result of a great revival in Brandywine Pres- 
byterian Church, some of the new converts living in the vicinity of 
Waynesburg, too far awaj- from the Brandywine to attend. The 
first meeting was held Januaiy 10, 1835, and the first pastor was 
Kev. W. ^A'. Latta, Avho was installed May 0, 1837, resigning in 
1858. The church was incorporated April l(i, 1840. The second 
pastor was Kev. John C. Thorn, from May 19, 1859, to September, 
1865, he resigning to go to St. Louis. Kev. J. H. Young became pas- 
tor in 1866, and remained until Februan- 7, 1869. Kev. William A. 
Ferguson then came and remained until October 3, 1871; Kev. W. 
W. Tothei'oh was installed October 31, 1872, and remained until 
1882; Kev. Thomas J. Sherrard became pastor in 1883, and re- 
mained six years; Kev. James B. Umberger came in 1890 and re- 
signed in 1893, and Kev. Oswell Gifford McDowell, the present ef- 
ficient pastor, was installed September 18, 1897. 

The present large and commodious church edifice was erected 
in 1871 on a lot donated in 1852 by Kev. W. W. Latta and Abnor 
Grittith. The pro])erty of the church is valued at |10,000, the mem- 
bership is 287, and the Sunday-school in all a membership of 140. 

Fairview Presbyterian Church, formei'ly AA'est Xantmeal Pres- 
byterian Church, was organized January 1, 1840, the first building 
being erected about that time. The first pastor was Kev. Alexan- 
der Porter, from 1840 to 1845. The second was Kev. William IT. 
McCarer, until 1849; Kev. Beriah B. Hotchkiss, until 1858; Kev. 
David C. Meeker, until 1868; Kev. Ambrose N. Hollifield, until 
1876; Iiev. Adam Boyd, Jr., installed in .June, 1876, and remained 
until 1883; Kev. William P. Breed, Jr., 1883-89; Kev. Albert F. 
Lott, 1893-96; Kev. Charles E. Gubler, 1897 to the present time. 
The church membership is now 200, and of the Sunday-school 180. 
The present church was erected in 1861. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 779 

% East Whitelaud Pre.sbyteriau Claircli was oi-gauized in 183!). 
and was incorporated May 21, 1840. Its pastors have been Revs. 
D. H. Emerson, Mr. Barton, .J. McKini Dinuau, W. t>. Drysdale, 
Oeorge Foote, Mr. Jones, John McLeod, A. M. Stewart, Thomas J. 
Aiken, John C. Clyde, William C. Stull, installed October 28, 1879, 
and remained nntil 1880; Rev. Villeroy D. Reed, D. D., 1887-81); 
Rev. Yates Dickey, 1890-92; Rev. Alford Kelly, 1891 to the present 
time. The present church edifice was erected in 1877, and the 
property of the church is now worth .f 5,000. The present member- 
ship is 105, and of the Sunday-school 55. 

Phrf*nix^ille Presbyterian Church was organized April Ki, 
1818, in the Mennonite Meeting-house. A handsome church edi- 
fice was erected on Main Street, south of \Yashingtou Avenue, and 
•dedicated September 30, 1850. The pastors of this church have 
been as follows: Revs. Jacob Bellisle, John Thomas, Joseph F. 
Jennison, Joseph W. Porter, George H. S. Campbell, 1876-80; 
Nathaniel P. Crause, 1881-9G, and William Mudge, 1897-98. The 
church membership is 210, and that of the Sunday-school 239. 

The Central Presbyterian Church, of Downington, was or- 
ganized July 17, 1861, and had for its first preacher Rev. John L. 
With row, he being at that time a student at Princeton College. 
The first regular pastor was Rev. Matthew Newkirk, Jr., installed 
May 21, 1862, and remaining until 1868. Rev. John Rea was pastor 
until 1872, and was succeeded by Rev. Francis J. Collier, installed 
October 9, 1872, and remained imtil September 18, 1888; Rev. 
Charles E. Craven, from January 17, 1889, to December 12, 1894; 
the pulpit was then vacant about a year, and Rev. John S. Helm 
came and remained about a year, leaving in August, 1896, and was 
followed February 11, 1897, by the present pa.stor, Rev. William P. 
Patterson. The church membership is 165, and that of the Sunday- 
school 151. A parsonage was erected in 1889. 

The Trinity Presbyterian Church, of Reeseville (Berwyn), was 
organized April 29, 1862, the church building being dedicated De- 



-So CHESTER COUNTY 

cember 30, 1S()2. The pastors of this cliiirfh have been TJevs. John 
MfLeod, A. M. Stewart, Tliomas J. Aiken, William M. Rice, D. D., 
Dr. Ilartniail, Alj^ernon Marccllns, installed October IT, 1879, and 
remained until 1SS5; Kev. Thomas J. Aiken, 1S80 to the present 
time. Tlie membership of this chincli is now 252, and of the Snn- 
daT-school 292. 

Kennett Square I'resbvterian Church was oroanized November 
1, 1802, Rev. John S. Gilmor becoming its first pastor, he being in- 
stalled May 15, 1803, and remaining until 1872. lie was succeeded 
by Rev. James Frazer, installed May 22, 1872, and remained until 
1883; Rev. D. W. Moore, 1883-80; supplies until 1890; Rev. R. A. 
Hunter, 1890-98. The presenl membership of the church is 139, 
and of the Sunday-school 100. In 1889 a Young People's Society 
of Christian Endeavor was organized, and in 1892 a junior society 
of the same order. In October of this year a Circle of the King's 
Daughters was formed, and there is also a Presbyterian Union 
which has aided the church largely in a financial way. There i.s 
also a AV'oman's Foreign Missionary Society and the Anemone 
Band. 

The Presbyterian Church of Avondale was organized Decem- 
ber 9, 1870, with Rev. -lohn S. Gilmor as pastor. In May, 1872, 
Rev. .lames Frazer succeeded, remaining until April 9, 1873. Rev. 
William R. Bingham then became stated supply and remained in 
that relation until 1870, and since then the pastors have been Rev. 
Charles H. Whitaker, Rev. George B. Carr and Rev. J. Calvin 
Krause. The church membership is 74, and that of the Sunday- 
school 70. 

The church building was erected in 1873 and dedicated -lanu- ■ 
ary 17, 1871. There was a Presbj'terian Chapel erected in Tough- 
kenamon in 1877, ajid in 1878 the building which had belonged to 
the Episcopalians was purchased, repaired and fitted up as a Pres- 
byterian Chapel. The pastors here since 1890 have been as follows: 
Rev. Malcolm J. McLeod, 1890-92; Rev. George B. CaiT, 1895; Rev. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 7S1 

Charles C. Walker, ISOO, aud Kev. J. Marshall Kutlierford, 1S97-!IS. 
The mebership of this churcli is 3it, and that of the Sunday-schiJdl 
100. 

There was a Presbyterian Church at Lincoln University, ^ir- 
ganized in ISOT, and known as the Ashmiin Church. 

The Second Presbyterian Church of West Chester (colored), 
was organized May 2, 1887, with twenty members. A Sunday- 
school was organized some time previously. At the present time 
the church is without a pastor, but the membership is kept up to 
about fifty, and that of the Sunday-school to about the same num- 
ber. 

Westminster Presbyterian Church of West Chester v.as or- 
ganized May 25, 1892, with 103 members, 100 of whom were from 
the First Presbyterian Church. The Suhday-sthoo] was organized 
May 29, 1892. A lot was purchased on the corner of Church and 
Barnard Streets, for •'J9,000, and a chapel erected thereon at a cost 
of 18,110.43. Eev. B. Canfield Jones was pastor from 1892 to 189.j. 
Rev. Alexander Esler has been the pastor of this church since June 
1, 1890, aud the membership is 396. The Sunday-school has 51(> 
membei's, that at Goshenville has 75 members and that at Cope- 
land 65, total number of Sunday-school scholars, 510. 

The Second Presbyterian Church of Oxford (colored) was es- 
tablished in 1881, and is the strongest church organization among 
the colored people at this place. First pastor was Kev. F. L. Logan, 
who remained until 1880; Kev. E. F. Eggleston from 1886 to 1887; 
Kev. W. A. H. Albony as a supply from 1891 to 1892, then Kev. 
Samuel W. Johnson from 1892 t(j the present. The church was 
erected in 1881, aud is worth |1,700. The membership is 13, aud 
of the Sundaj'-school 66. 

The Presbyterian Church of Peuningtonville (now Atgleu), was 
regularly constituted by a committee of New Castle Presbytery, in 
1851. In 1852 the present building was erected, and during the 
same vear the church was dedicated. A unanimous call was ex- 



7S2 CHESTER COUNTY 

tended to Kev. James Latta, wlui had been pastor of Upper Octo- 
raro Presbyterian Chiircli for a period of forty years, and in 1857, 
the tillage of Oliristiana, in Lancaster County, having no place of 
worship, erected a church in connection witli that of Atgleu. The 
pastors have been as folloAvs: Rev. James Latta, 1852 to 1862; Rev. 
J. W. Edie, 18f)2 to 1868; Rev. W. F. P. Noble, 1869 to 1872; Rev. 
W. R. Halbert, 1872 to 1878; Rev. C. D. Wilson, 1880 to 1883; Rev. 
A. Marcellus, 1884 to 1887; Rev. J. D. Randolph, 1887 until near 
the time of his death, May 21, 1898, and Rev. J. B. Rendall, Jr., from 
October, 1897, to the present time. The membership of this church 
at the present time is 90, and of the Sunday-school, 50. 

West Grove Presbyterian Church was the result of the estab- 
lishment of a Sunday-school by Edward P. Capp, in August, 1860. 
In 1871 the Sunday-school'moved to a hall. Dr. R. B. Ewing being 
then the superintendent. In 1876 Dr. W. R. Bingham became pas- 
tor, and services continued to be held in the hall until it became 
necessary to erect a church building. For this purpose money was 
raised in 1883, and in 1884 a building committee was appointed, 
consisting of S. K. Chambers, James Mendenhall, and Isaac Conard, 
who held the title to the property until the organization of the 
church. The cornerstone of the new building was laid October 3, 
1884, Dr. Bingham, Rev. B. T. Jones and Prof. John B. Rendall 
officiating. The church was organized May 27, 1886, and Dr. Bing- 
ham continued as stated supply until 1890, when Rev. Charles H. 
Whitaker became pastor in connection with Avondale, remaining 
until October 17, 1893, when he resigned. On October 9, 1893, the 
relations existing between West Grove and Avondale Presbyterian 
Churches were severed, and West Grove and Unionville were 
united, at a congregational meeting held July 18, 1894. October 
24, 1894, Rev. J. Calvin Ki'ause was installed pastor of the two 
churches, and so remained until March 27, 1895, and he was called 
to West Grove exclusively April 23, 1895. At an adjourned meet- 
ing of the Presbytery held at Oxford September 19, 1895, a call was 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 783 

extended from the Avoudale Church to the Eev. J. Calvin Krause, 
wliich tall he accepted and he has since been pastor of the two 
churches. The church building in West Grove stands on Evergi"een 
Street, and v^'ill seat 250 people The church membership is now 
118, and that of the Sunday-school is 203. 

The first Baptist Church in Pennsylvania was established at 
Cold Spring', in 1684, Eev. Thomas Dungan of Rhode Island being 
the pastor. Tliis church Avas dissolved in 1702. About two years 
after the organization of this Cold Spring Church a young man by 
the name of Elias Keech arrived from England, dressed like a min- 
ister, and began to preach, but in his first sermon while he pro- 
gressed fairly well for a time, he at length became confused and 
confessed that he was an impostor, becoming greatly distressed. 
Hearing of the church at Cold Spring he sought the i^astor' of it, 
.sought his counsel and was by this pastor baptized and ordained. 
In 1688 Jie organized tlie Pennypack or Lower Dublin Baptist 
Church, which is now the oldest Baptist Church in the State. Four 
years later liev. Mr. Keech returned to England. 

In Chester County the Baptist Churches, classified according 
to the associations to which tliey belong are as follows: 

Philadelphia Association.^ — Great Valley, organized in 1711; 
Brandy wine, 1715; Bethesda, 1812. 

Central Union Association. — Vincent, 1771; Beulah, 1823; 
Hephzibah, 1810; Goshen, 1827; Phrenixville, 1830; Glen Run, 
1832; Windsor, 1833; West Chestei*, 1831; East Nantmeal, 1812; 
East Brandywine, 1843; Pughtown, 1856, and Coatesville, 1867; 
Lawrenceville, 1858; Oxford, 1881, and Green Valley, a branch of 
Hephzibah. 

North Philadelphia Association. — Willistown, 1833; West 
Cain, 1842; Berean, 1878. 

Other Churches. — London Tract, 1780. 

The Great Valley Baptist Church was constituted April 22, 
1711, Hugh Davis being chosen minister; Alexander Owen and 
46 



784 CHESTER COUNTY 

William Eees, elders. The fonuer officiated uutil Febniary, 1812,. 
when Griffith Jones from IJydwilim, Wales, arrived in the foiinty, 
and was appointed to the station. The meetings of this congrega- 
tion were for the most part held at the lionse of Richard Miles in 
Radnor, until 1722, a log church building being erected in the mean- 
time in Tredvffrin Township, 28 feet square. This little log church 
stood on high ground by the highway, near a small stream, called 
Nant yr Ewig. There was also a branch church at Yellow S^pring* 
and also a school-house, and in 1770 both churches had a member- 
ship of ninety-two families. Of these two churches Rev. Hugh 
Davis was the minister until his death, which occurred October 13, 
1753. He was succeeded by Rev. John Davis, who had been for 
some time assistant to Rev. Hugh Davis, and who from 1753 until 
1775 had sole charge of the church, and remained pastor until his 
death in 1778. In 1775 Rev. David Jones became assistant to Rev. 
John Davis, but during the Revolutionaiy War he was absent 
much of the time as chaplain in the American Army. 

In 1805 a new meeting-house was erected and in 1810 a new 
parsonage. In 1820 the privilege of voting on all (juestious that 
might arise was conferred upon the women members of the congre- 
gation on equal tenns with the men. In 1821 tlie pastor. Rev. 
Thomas Roberts, and Isaac Cleaver, John Farrier, Elizabeth Rob- 
erts, Elizabeth Jones and Rachel Cleaver, were dismissed for the 
purpose of forming a mission among the Indians in Tennessee, 
Evan Jones also accompanying them to the mission ground, where 
his son, Rev. John B. Jones, was born, and where he became a 
translator of the Bible into the Cherokee language. 

This church also planted otlier churches in its own immediate 
vicinity, as the Seventh Day Baptist Church, at French Creek, in 
172G; Vincent Baptist Church, 1771; Phtenixville Baptist 
Church, in 1830; Xorristown Baptist Church, in 1832; West Ches- 
ter Baptist Church, in 1834; Willistown Baptist Church, in 1833, 
and Radnor Baptist Church, in 1841. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. J^S 

Following is a list of the pastors of the Great Valley Baptist 
Church from the beginning of its history: 

Hugh Davis, 1711-53; John Davis, 1732-78; David Jones, 177."'.- 
76, 1792-1820; Thomas Jones, 1776-83; Nicholas Cox, 1783; John 
Boggs, 1791-1801; Jenkin David, 1795-98; Thomas Roberts, 1811- 
21; Thomas J. Kitts, 1822; John >?. Jenkins, 1823-27; Thomns 
Brown, 1828-31; Leonard Fletcher, 1832-10; Charles B. Keyes, 
1841-45; James F. Brown, 1846-54; George Spratt, 1854-58; Will- 
iam M. Whitehead, 1858-61; James E. Wilson, 1863-65; B. C. 
Morse, 1867-70; James H. Hyatt, 1870 to 1874; George Pierce, 1874 
to 1883; J. M. Guthrie, 1883 to 1886; H. B. Garner, 1887 to 1893; 
J. G. Booker, 1893 to 1896; E. M. Levy, D. D.Jsupply), January- to 
September, 1897; and James Craighead, from November, 1897, to 
the present time. Isaac A. Cleaver has been clerk of this church 
since 1875. 

In the latter part of the year 1886, a chapel was opened at 
Berwyn in Tredyffrin Township, for public worship. The cost of 
the ground and the building furnished was .|7,000. July 26, 1895, 
the interior of this chapel was seriously damaged by fire. Having 
been repaired and improved it was reopened December 15, 1895, 
the cost of the repairs and other improvements having been .f3,000. 
The parsonage farm of fifty acres was sold in 1892 for |10,000, and 
the proceeds invested in first mortgage on Chester County real 
estate. The present value of church and chapel properties is |15,- 
000, and the investments of the church society amount to .'S10,800. 
The present membership is 130. There are two Sunday-schools, 
the superintendents being Isaac A. Cleaver and Dr. W. B. Farley, 
and the officers, teachers and scholars number 200. 

During the latter part of the year 1896, fifty members of this 
church severed their membership therewith and formed the First 
Baptist Church of Berwyn. 

Goshen Baptist Church is situated in West Gosheu Townshix>, 
at the junction of the old Philadelphia and Strasburg Koads. A 



786 CHESTER COUNTY 

few Baptists living iu tlie vicinity of tliis place worshiped in an 
old frame school-honse for some years before a church building- 
was erected, which was in 1809, and in which any evangelical min- 
ister might preach, the understanding being that whenever the 
Baptists were strong enough to establish a church the property 
should be transferred to tliem. The building was opened for wor- 
ship on Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17, 1826. Early 
in the year 1827, nine persons were dismissed from the Brandywine 
Church to form this church, and the^' were constituted a church on 
January 20, 1827. From that time until August they were without 
a pastor, and then Eev. Simeon Seigfried was called, remaining 
with them until Febniary 20, 1830, when he resigned, and was dis- 
missed to Bethesda Church. After a couple of years of supplies 
Bev. Robert Comptou became pastor January 14, 1832, serving two 
years. Rev. Mr. Seigfried then returned and served from April, 
1834, until July, 1835, when Rev. Mr. Compton again became pastor, 
remaining this time six months. Rev. Charles E Moore then be- 
came pastor July 16, 1836, and remained until September, 1838; 
Rev. Enos Barker served from September, 1838, until 1839, and 
then Rev. Mr. Moore returned and served six months. Rev. Mr. 
Compton then returned and served until Januai-y, 1841, and iu 
1842 Rev. Thomas Griflith was tlie pastor. Rev. George W. Mitch- 
ell became pastor in 1846, and preached two years. Rev. F. Jasin- 
sky served from April 1, 1848, until January 20, 1851, when Rev. 
Mr. Compton returned once more and remained until 1856. Rev. 
John Reece served from 1857 until 1860, in which latter year Rev. 
J. W. WarAvick became pastor aud served until April 1, 1861. 
Joseph S. Evans was licensed to preach November 17, 1860, and 
was ordained jjastor of this church November 4, 1861, serviug the 
church from this time until the present 

In Februaiw, 1874, the church building was badly damaged by 
tire, and a new one was erected on the old site, the new one being 
dedicated November 25, 1S74. In 1894 a two-story stone annex 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 1^7 

was added to the obiircli for the uses of the Suudaj-school. Tlie 
total value of the church property is now |G,000, aud the member- 
ship of the church is 24:5, that of the Sunday-school being 130. 

Tlie Brandywine Baptist Church was estxiblished June 14, 
1715, at tlie house of John I*owell of Pi'ovidence, the first name 
given to it being the Baptized Church of Jesus Christ. It had four- 
teen original members, seven men iind seven women. It was origi- 
nally in Birmingham Township, Delaware County, and the meet- 
ings were held for a time at the house of John Powell in Upper 
Providence. In 1717 the meetings were removed to Birmingham. 
A division occurred in this church, but at what precise time does 
not appear, over the question of the Sabbath day, thovse preferring 
Sunday to Saturday fonning the Brandywine Church. In 1741 a 
new meeting appeared to be necessary in Newlin Township, and a 
building was erected on land given for that purpose by Jeffrey 
Bentley. 

In 1770 there were about twenty-six families in the two 
branches. Kev. William Butcher was the first pastor, remaining 
until 1721, and from that on until 1761 there was no regular pas- 
tor, l\ev. Abel Grrifliths coming in that year and remaining until 
17G7. The church at Birmingham was erected in 1718 on land 
given by Eduiuud Butcher, one of the original members of the 
church. 

The Hephzibah Baptist Church, though not organized so early 
as 1710, was yet in a certain sense in existence then, and has since 
been a power for good. The people of religious instincts in the 
neighborhood of its locatiou were ministered to until in the early 
day by Eev. Owen Thomas, who settled in Vincent in 1707, and was 
the first regular Baptist minister in ^'ewlin Township. On Janu- 
ary 7, 1747-48, Richard Buffington of Bradford in his will gave £5 
to IJev. O-^en Thomas, minister of ' the Anabaptist Society, 
which then held its meetings at John Bentley's house, in ^'ewlin, 
and to the societv itself he gave £20. After the death of Joha 



788 CHESTER COUXTY 

Bentley, the meetings were held at the house of his son, Jef 
frey Bentley, who in 1752 gave a piece of land upon which 
with the assistance of others he erected a meeting-house. 
Rev. Owen Thomas, who first preached for this church, 
continued to do so until 1759, when he was succeeded 
by Rev. Abel Griffith, who remained until 17«i7, and who came 
again in 1775, remaining this second time until 1791, when 
he was succeeded by Rev. Joshua Vaughau, who remained until 
1808. During his pastorate the meeting-house became too small 
and a new (me was erected where the Hephzibah Church now 
stands. It was finished by May, 1793, and was dedicated on the 
18th of tliat month by Rev. David Jones. At the death of Rev. Mr. 
^'auglian, August 2, 1808, the number of members of this church 
was 140. For a short time afterward Rev. Jethro Johnson supplied 
the pulpit, and in March, 1810, Brandywine Church granted a letter 
of dismissal to its members living in East Fallowfield in order that 
they might form a separate organization, the result of which was 
that on May 20, 1810, the Hephzibah was constituted, the first busi- 
ness meeting of this new chui'ch being held on Saturday, June 16, 
1810. In 182.3 about twenty members were dismissed to form 
Beulah Baptist Cliurch, for which Rev. Jethro Johnson preached as 
well as at Hephzibah, until his death, July 15, 1838. 

Rev. Silas C. James was ordained pastor December 3, 1S38, re- 
maining until April 1, 1840. Rev. .John S. Jenkins became pastor 
in June, 1840, and remained until February, 1842, when twenty- 
six members were dismissed to form the West Cain Baptist 
Church. Rev. D. A. Nichols supplied the pulpit from April, 1844, 
until April, 184G, and Rev. George H. Mitchell from April 8, 1S4G, 
until September, 1852. During the latter pastorate the present 
church edifice was erected, being finished and ready for worship In 
January, 1848. Rev. Leonard Frescoln became pastor in January, 
1855, and remained until April, 1857, when Rev. David W. Hunter 
began his pastorate in May, 1857, remaining until June, 1872. 



AXD ITii PEOPLE. 789 

Betliesda Baptist Church is situated in the northwest part (if 
the county, about half a mile from the Berlcs County line. It was 
organized December 8, 1827, and the first pastor, Rev. Simeon Seig- 
fried, served it from that time until about 1830. The other pastors 
of this church have been Rev. John Booth, Rev. Andrew Collins, 
Rev. Enoch M. Barker, Rev. Dieres A. Nichols, Rev. Leonard 
Freshcoln, Rev. William H. H. Marsh, Rev. John G. Peri'y, Rev. 
John Eberle, Rev. William Barrows. 

Glen Run Baptist Church was established in 1832, being con- 
stituted December 8, that year. The name was derived from a 
small stream which has its rise in the immediate vicinity of the 
church building first erected. The original membership consisted 
of nine persons, from the Ilephzibah Church, they being gathered 
together through the labors of Rev. Enos M. Philips, who was then 
performing missionary labors in tlie west part of Chester County. 
Almost immediately after the organization eleven more united 
Avith the nine, and the church building was dedicated December 9, 
1832. Before tlie end of that month forty more joined, and when 
the Rev. Mr. Philips resigned his pastorate in 1810 the membership 
wasilS. In January-, 1811, Rev. Robert Comptou accepted the call 
to the pastorate, and remained until 1812, when the Rev. Mr. 
Philips returned, and in 1813 sixteen members were dismissed to 
form the Coleraine Baptist Church in Lancaster County. In 1810 
a church building was erected in Parkesburg, services being held in 
both houses for some time. Rev. Mr. Philips remained until 1810, 
when he resigned to go to Wisconsin as a missionary for the Home 
Missionary Society. Rev. Allen J. Hires, pastor of the Vincent 
Church, became pastor of this church in 1850, and in 1853 twenty- 
eight of the members were dismissed to fonn a new church organi- 
zation at Parkesburg, Rev. Mr. Hires filling both pulpits until 1855, 
when he resigned. In this latter year Rev. Joseph CuiTan became 
pastor, and remained until 185(i, about which time most of the mem- 
bers of the I'arlvesburg Church returued to the Glen Run Church. 



790 CHESTER COUNTY 

The location of the church building having? now become nnsat- 
isfactoi-y, a new building was erected at Penningtonville, in 1858, 
the basement of which was ready for occupancy next year, in 
which year Hev. Leonard Fletcher became the pastor, serving from 
April 1 to August IG, when he died. Hex. William T. Bunker be- 
came pastor in November, 1800, and remained until 1802, the new 
church building being completed and dedicated in the meantime. 
In 1803 Rev. A. H. Bliss became pastor, resigned in August, 1804, 
to enter the Union Anny as a private soldier, and was succeeded 
in the church by Eev. Joseph Sharp, who remained until 1800, 
when he was followed by Rev. W. W. Dalbey, who remained from 
1870 until September, 1871. In 1872 he was followed by Rev. 
James Walden, wlio remained until 1877, and in September of that 
year Rev. T. S. Snow became and remained until 1885, when he 
was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Whitmarsh, wlio remained until 1887. 
Rev. J. B. Soule was pastor from 1887 to 1890; Rev. Y. S. Marsh 
from 1890 to 1802; Rev. F. H. Buffum from 1892 to 1894; and 
Rev. R. J. Holmes from 1895 to 1898. The present membership of 
the church is 150, and of the Sunday-school, 90; the cliurch prop- 
erty being valued at .1«10,000. 

Vincent Baptist Church was organized in 1737 as a branch of 
the Great Valley Baptist Church, which built a church edifice 
within 200 yards of the present church building. The new organi- 
zation was supplied for some years by the Rev. William Davis and 
the Rev. John Davis, the latter being pastor of the Great Valley 
Church. In 1748, Vincent Cliurch was granted by the Great Val- 
ley Church independent action. Rev. Owen Thomas was minister 
" here some time, and died November 12, 1700. For about ten years 
afterward Vincent Church was supplied more or less by the Great 
Valley Church pastors, but on October 12, 1771, the Vincent 
brethren were constituted a separate and independent church, 
forty-eight members of the Great Vallej' being dismissed to aid in 
forming the new organization. On April 0, 1791, it was incor- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 79 r 

porated by the Legislature. At this time Rev. John Blaelcwell was 
the minister, and was succeeded by the Rev. Abel Gi-iffith, and he 
by Rev. Thomas Fleeson, these three ministers serving- up to ISOO. 
Since then the pastors have been Revs. Joshua Vaughan, H. G. 
Jones, Daniel James, Charles Moore, the latter resigning in 1842, 
having been pastor twenty -two years and eight months; J. Y. 
Allison, A. J. Hires, J. N. Tucker, J. W. Griffith, A. J. Hay, George 
Sleeper, S. F. Forgues, J. S. L. Sagebeer, D. W. Shepperd, A. J. 
Grej', C. D. Parker, D. M. Lennox, and the present pa.stor, W. C. 
Leinback. The membership of this church is now 190, and the 
property is valued at |15,000. 

The Sunday-school was opened in May, 1829, a tract society 
was formed in 1833, a missionary society was organized the same 
year, and in February of this year, thirty-nine members were dis- 
missed to form Windsor Chui'ch. In May, 1833, the Vincent 
Church became a member of the Central Baptist Association. The 
property of the church contains 7.79 acres which was deeded to 
the society August 23, 1797. This is one of the endowed churches 
of the county, the Legislature about 1780 authorizing the sale of 
a farm which in 1775 had been so left in his will by Daniel Evans 
that two-thirds of its income should go toward the support of the 
pastor, and after sale two-thirds of the proceeds thereof were put 
at interest, the interest to go toward paying the annual salary of 
the pastor. The share of the church in the property amounted to 
|4,39(3.9L In May, 1862, Phebe Christman died, leaving a bequest 
of .f 300, the interest of which is to go to the same end. 

Beulah Baptist Church was constituted June 3, 1823, with 
nineteen members. The meeting-house was built that year, and 
Rev. Jethro Johnson was the iirst pastor, remaining in this rela- 
tion, and also of Hephzibah Church, until his death, July 15, 1838. 
The next pastor was Rev. Enos M. Philips, who was succeeded by 
Rev. Robert Compton. Rev. William Rudy became pas- 
tor April 23, 1842, remaining until March, 1845, when 



792 CHESTER COUNTY 

Rev. Mr. Compton returned, remaining this time until 
18-19. IJev. William M. Wliitehead was pastor eighteen 
mouths from October 17, 1850, aud was succeeded By Rev. 
J. Perry Hall, who remained iiutil 185!). The pastors subse- 
quent to this have been: Revs. M. K. Williams, J. M. Perry, J. 
D. R. Strayer, J. M. Lyons, James P. Hunter, J. M. Lyons again, 
Samuel Godshall, W. R. McNeil. 

Windsor Baptist Church Avas organized April 12, 1833, the 
first meetings for worship being held in the house of Rev. Josiah 
Philips. During that summer a church building was erected and 
in the fall liev. Thomas C. Teasdale agi*eed to preach for them once 
each month during the year for $100. October 11, 1831, Rev. Enos 
M. Philips made a similar agreement. From this time on until 
1835 there was preaching also by Rev. Josiah Philips, Rev. William 
Stedman and Rev. O. I. Miles. Rev. T. S. (jrithth, who preacheil 
once each month from 1837 to 1840, began in this latter year to give 
his whole time to the church and remained until January 1. 1815, 
when he was succeeded by Rev. H. S. Haven, who died December 
28, that year. Rev. J. M. Ivichards came next, remaining until Oc- 
tober 1, 1850. The pastors who have since preached for this church 
have been as follows: Revs. J. »^. Eisenbray, Uriah Coffmau, J. W. 
Griffith, Jacob Lawrence, E. A'. King, John Owen, during whose 
pastorate a union with East Nantmeal Church was effected and 
Rev. D. J. R. Strayor became pastor; then followed Rev. J. M, 
Guthrie, who remained pastor some years and resigned to become 
pastor of the Berean Baptist Church in West Chester, in 187!l. 
Since then the pastors have been as follows: Ivevs. William Bai-- 
rows, E. B. Waltz, R. R. Albin, and J. E. Keylor, the present pastor. 
Repairs have been recently made to the property which add much 
to its appearance. The church building is valued at |5,000 and the 
parsonage at |2,000. The membership of the church is now 121, 
and that of the Sunday-school 00. 

The First Baptist Church of West Chester was organized in 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 793 

1834, meetings having been lielil for some time previonsl^y at tlie 
lionse of Kobert Ferguson to talie into consideration the question 
of effecting such an organization. On January 23, 1834, this church 
was constituted with twenty five members, Rev. Thoma.s C. Teas- 
dale being the first pastor. A lot was purchased on Church Street, 
between Market and Miuer Streets, for -1400, and a new building 
erected thereon by Samuel Bart, at a cost of |l,065,Uhe cupola cost- 
ing f 100. In 1842 the tower and steeple were added at a cost cf 
J)f575, including the belfry. The church was chartered by the Legi: 
lature in 1844, and in 1855 the property was sold to George Fitz- 
simmous for |1,800, a. lot having been purchased on South Hign 
Street upon which a new building was aftei'ward erected, the cor- 
ner-stone being laid JuIa' 4, 1854, the lecture room being occupied 
for the first time January 7, 1855, and the completed building dedi- 
cated August 28 and 29, 1857. This church, including the lot on 
which it stands, cost 110,81 l.r»7. 

Tlie pastors of this churcli, since the retirement of Rev. 
^Ir. Teasdale, been as follows: Rev. George I. Miles, 
Lemuel Covell, H. R. Green, Silas W. Palmer, Emerson 
Andrews, Thomas S. (Jriffith, ^Yilliam A. Roy, Alfred S. 
I'attou, Levi Parmley, Ivobert Lowrey, AVilliam E. Watkin- 
son, James Trickett, Alfred Harris, William E. Cornwell, 
George H. Trapp, William E. Needham, J. H. Chambers, 
Joshua E. Wills. The church property is wortli iiS12,000, seating 
capacity of church being 600. 

The buildiug was re-modeled in 188G, chairs taking the place 
of pews. A new pipe organ Avas put in in 1897, at a cost of |1,500, 
-and was heard for the first time on Thursday evening, November 
25, Thanksgiving evening. The church membership is now 413, 
and the Sunday-school has a membership of about 303. The pres- 
ent pastor. Rev. Joshua E. Wills, came to West Chester from 
Swarthmore, Delaware County. He is a literary gentleman as well 
-as pastor, having published several books, among his most recent 



794 CHESTER COUNTY 

ones being a pamphlet entitled "Satan," in which he argues in fa- 
vor of the doctrine of the personality- of the arch adversary of 
man. 

Phoenixville Baptist Church was organized May 28, 1830, witli 
eight members, public services being held next day in the Metho- 
dist Church. A church edifice was erected in 1833, which was su- 
perseded in 1853 by a commodious structure at the corner of 
Church and Gay Streets, and was dedicated in July, 1834. The 
pastors here have been Eevs. Jonathan G. Collon, William Smith, 
Thomas Larcombe, Dyer A. Nichols, Andrew Collins, William S. 
Hall, John P. Hall, Joseph Currin, William S. Hall, Joel E. Brad- 
ley, I. I). King, G. G. Craft, William H. Stenger, Jonathan Nichols, 
J. Madison Hare, and A. J. Hughes, the present pastor. The mem- 
bership of this church is 512, and the church property is valued 
at $23,500. 

East Nantmeal Baptist Church was organized November 5, 
1811, with twenty-six members. Meetings were held for a couple 
of years in a school-house, but in 1813 a church building was dedi- 
cated, which cost 1800. In 1880 a neAV chiirch building was erected 
wliich cost .|3,500. Tlie pastors here have been Kevs. A. Collins, D. 
A. Nichols, John Duer, William H. Ellis, F. Wilson, J. W. Plannett, 
C. H. Mellotte, and A\'alter Whitley, the present pastor. The mem- 
bership of the church is 1G3, and the property is valued at $5,000. 

East BrandyAvine Baptist Church was organized February 21, 
1843, with fifty-three members, a church building having been 
erected the previous year. This building was burned down in 185G, 
and rebuilt the same year. The church was incorporated Aiigust 
0, 1804, and the parsonage, which was purchased in 1870, is sit- 
uated in Guthrieville. The pastors of this church have been Eevs. 
Thomas S. Griffith, H. S. Haven, William J. Nice, John S. Christine,', 
John M. Richards, George H. Mitchell, Jesse B. Williams, B. H. 
Fish, George H. Mitchell, S. Livermore, E. W. Eing, C. E. Young, 
T. G. Guessford, Maris Gibson, T. A. Lloyd, William Marlow, James 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 795 

JM. Guthi'ie, Morris Gibson, A. M. McCurdy, Walter Mayo, F. ^^'. 
Eandall and G. W. Rensliaw, tlie present pastor. The membersliip 
of the church is twenty-five, and the property is valued at .|4,500. 

Pughtown Baptist Church wasi organized January* 10, 185G, 
with twenty-five members. Two days previousl.y it was resolved 
to abstain from the use of intoxicants for sacramental purposes. 
The pastors of this church have been as follows: Eevs. Theophilus 
Jones, John Perry, John Entriken, J. G. Walker, E. P. Barker, S. 
Belsey, William Barrows, David Landis, J. H. Hyatt, AV. O. Owen, 
and is now supi:»lied by Kev. William T. Johnscm. The membei*shiii 
of the church is now eighty-one, and the property is valued at 
f2,S00. 

The First Baptist Church of Coatesville was organized Sep- 
tember 3, 1867, Avith forty-nine members, a building having been 
secured on April 3, pre^ iously, from the school board, and then 
fitted up for a place of worship. In 1869 most of this building was 
torn do-nn and a new one erected in its place on the southwest cor- 
ner of Third Avenue and Main Street, w.hich was opened for wor- 
ship Januaiw 1, 1870, and dedicated November 10, following. The 
liastors of this church have been as follows: Eevs. A. C. Whear, 
<\ M. Deitz, E. Wildman, E. Edwards, from December 5, 1880, to 
July 9, 1882; E. E. Jones, November 1, 1882, to April 1, 1887; 
Joseph L. Sagebeer, September 1, 1887, until his death in 1890; 
Benjamin C. Needham, October 1, 1890, to 1896, when owing to fail- 
ing healtii he ^^as compelled to cease from labor and was suc- 
ceeded by Eev. William E. Needham. The membership of the 
church is about -150, and the church property is valued at |25,000. 

Willistown Baptist Church was organized in 1833, as a branch 
of the Great Valley Baptist Church. A church building was 
erected in 1875 at Malvern to take the place of the old building and 
the parsonage was erected in 1877. In 1881 the membership was 
319, Kev. E. W. Bliss being pastor at that time. Since then there 
has been but one pastor, Rev. W. W. Dalbey, who came to the 



796 CHESTER COUNTY 

church June, 1893, the Rev. Mr. Bliss having ck)sed his pastorate 
December 2, 1892. The church buikling is now valued at |15,000, 
and the parsonage at |1,000, total $19,000. The church society i:-; 
entirely free from debt. The church membership is now 281, and 
that of the Sunday-school, 150. t^ince 1880 a fine double shed ca- 
Ijable of holding 28 teams has been erected, and a bell has been put 
on the church weighing 700 pounds. 

West Cain Baptist Church was organized as a branch of the 
Hephzibah Baptist Church in 1842 with twenty-six members, their 
petition for a separate church organization being granted upon 
condition that they pay all arrearages due the Hephzibah Church. 
Rev. Mr. Jenkins was permitted to devote one-fourth of his time to 
the new church. Subsequent to his pastorate the following have 
been the pastors of this chuixh: Rev. David Jefferis, Rev. George 
H. Mitchell, liev. A. G. Compton, Rev. W. H. H. Marsh, and Rev. 
George Coulter. At the present time no stated meetings are held 
by this church, which as an organization has ceased to exist, but 
preaching is supfjlied occasionally from Coatesville, as the pastors 
there may arrange. 

Lawrenceville Baptist Church was organized April 14, 1858, 
and the church building erected that year was dedicated December 
12, 1858, the cost of the building having been |1,700. The pastors 
of this church have been as follows: Revs. W. H. H. Marsh, John 
M. Perry, A. B. Still, Robert Dunlap, David Philips, A. H. Emmons, 
J. W. Griffith, C. W. O. Nyce, J. B. Soule, and the present pastor, 
Rev. W. T. Johnson. The membershii) of this church, now named 
Parkerford instead of Lawrenceville, is 186, and the property is 
valued at |5,000. 

The Berean Baptist Church of West Chester was organized as 
the Mount Olive Baptist Church of West Chester, February 10, 
1874. On April 2, the name Avas changed to the West Chester 
Baptist Church, and on the 10th of the same month the name was 
again changed to the Berean Baptist Church. The first sermon was 



AyO JTS PEOPLE. 797 

preached by I{ev. W. li. McNeil. November 2, 1874, the corner- 
stone of a church biiihling was hiid by tlie Kev. Edward McMiiin. 
pastor, on a lot ou the west side of Walnut Street, between Miner 
and Barnard Streets, the building being completed and dedicated 
in 1875. The pastors of this church have been as follows: Rev. 
Edward McMinu, William K. McNeil, T. A. Lloyd, James M. 
Guthrie, and David II. Laudis, the last pastor. In 1889 this church 
property was ]nirchased by H. .J. Clouser, who lives adjoining it on 
the south, and in 1892 he sold it to the Second Presbyterian 
Church (colored), which has since occupied it. The building was 
erected in 1874. 

The Loudon Tract Baptist Church, so named because it was 
located on a tract of land purchased by the London Company, in 
Chester County, Avas made an independent church November 21, 
1780. Previous to tJiis date its history is involved in that of the 
Welsh Tract, which etends back tO' the beginning of the Eight- 
eenth century. At the time of the organization of this church 
there were dismissed from the Welsh Tract church eighteen per- 
sons to aid in its formation. The Evans family were among the 
most prominent of the original members, and the church building 
stood upon their land. The first pastor appears to have been Ilev. 
Thomas Fleeson, appointed November 22, 1780. In 1808, Kev. 
Jethro Johnson Avas pastor, preaching two vSundays each month, 
one at BrandyAvine and one at Hephzibah. Kev. Thomas Barton 
was pastor of this church for a period of fifty years, dying March 
23, 1870. Bev. George W. Stator became pastor in March, 1873, 
and was succeeded by Bev. Joseph L. Stator in March, 1880. 

Early in the histoi";^' of this organization a new stone building 
was erected Avith the entrance on the south side; but in 1863, when 
this building Avas remodeled, the entrance was placed on the east 
side. The only pastor since the retirement of Bev. Joseph L. Stator, 
who died in 1892, has been Elder A. B. Francis. The membership of 
the church is noAV ten, and the property is worth |3,000. There is 



798 CHESTER COUNTY 

no Sunday-school connected with this cliurcli, as the members do 
not believe in them or in missions. This is an old-school Baptist 
Church, and thej firmly believe in the doctrine that only the elect 
will be saved, hence Sunday-schools and missions are useless. In 
their view tlie Lord does all, and as a consequence of this belief 
their church seems doomed to continued decay and early extinc- 
tion. 

Green Valley Baptist Church was organized June 19, 1834, 
when a considerable number of members was dismissed from 
Hephzibah Church for that purpose. But it does not appear that a 
church building was erected for them until 1868, the question as 
to ^\hether a building was needed in Newlin being investigated in 
180(1 by J. G. Powell, John Y. Woodwai'd, and Job Keech from 
Hephzibah Churcli. In August, 1867, a "harvest home" was held 
in Daniel Pennock's woods, which brought in |320, and in June, 
1868, a location was selected for the meeting-house, the corner- 
stone of which was laid July 30 that year. Tlie basement of the 
building was opened for worshii) December 3, 1S69, the sermon be- 
ing preached by llev. D. W. Hunter, and on October 9, 1870, the 
main audience room was opened for worshij), the building being 
dedicated September 9 and 10, 1871. The sermon on this occasion 
was preached by the venerable Simeon Seigfried, and there was 
one preached also by the Rev. James Trickett. 

The Oxford Baptist Cliurch was constituted May 12, 1881, 
services having been held in that place then about two years by 
Eev. William R. McNeil. 

Rev. William Barrows is pastor at the present time. At first 
Brinton's Hall was used as a place of worship, but in 1886 the so- 
ciety purchased tlie church building which had been formerly used 
by the Methodists and still own the building. 

The Seventh Day Baptists of Pennsylvania first became known 
in the Province in 1697, when Abel Noble, who is claimed to have 
been the first Seventh Day Baptist to come to the Province (in 1684), 



AND ITS' PEOPLE. 799 

baptized Thomas Martin, a frieud, in IJidley Creek. Aftenvard Mr. 
Martin baptized otlier Quakers imtil nineteen had left their own 
society to become Baptists. On October 12, 1C07, they were incor- 
porated into a church with Thomas Martin as their minister. From 
tliat day no other Keithian Qiialcers were baptized. In 1700 a dif- 
ference of opinion arose among them as to the Sabbatli day, some 
claiming it to be Saturday, others, to be Sunday, and this differ- 
ence of opinion broke up the church, those adhering to the Seventh 
day remaining together in Xewtown. 

This Newtown societj^ held its meetings at the house of David 
Thomas, and after Thomas Martin had for ministers two named 
Buckingham and Budd. After the death of these two the society 
did not flourish to any great extent. The dead members of the 
church lie buried in the cemeterj' now owned by the Newtown Bap- 
tist Church. 

Another society of Seventh Day Baptists was organized at Not- 
tingham, Chester County, their meetings being held sometimes at 
the liouse of Abigail Price, but chiefly at the house of Samuel Bond 
of Cecil County, Maryland. The}' originated witli the Keithians in 
Upper Providence, but, having no minister, .they could not expect to 
grow. 

There was still another society of this denomination at French 
Creek in Ea.st Nantmeal Township, which originated in 1726, a few 
members withdraAving from the Great ^'alley Baptist Church in 
Chester Countj-. They had a meeting-house built in 1672 on a lot 
containing one acre of ground. There were six families belonging 
to this society, which had no regular minister. Their meeting- 
house, a frame one, was destroyed many years ago. 

The German Baptists, or Dunkers, living in Coventiy Town- 
ship, organized themselves into a church in 1724, with the assist- 
ance of Bishop Peter Becker of Germantown. They celebrated a 
"love feast" and the Lord's Supper for the first time November 7, 
1721, with eight communicants. Martin Umer was their first min- 
47 



800 CHESTER COUNTY 

ister, he beiug forniiill.y ordaiued in 1729 aud serving- the eluin-li 
until his death, in 1755. Mr. Urner's assistant, Casper Ingles, 
served also until Mr. Urner's death. The next regular minister was 
Martin Trner, a nephew of the tii'st, who was ordained in 1750. Cp 
to this time they had met in private houses, but under the super- 
vision of I{ev. John Price, familiarly known as "Johnny Price, 
the boy pastor," the present church building, known as "Price's 
Meeting-house," was erected. The Sunday-school was organized 
with about 110 members, some little time after the establishment of 
the church. Other noted ministers of the church, besides those 
already mentioned, have been Eev. George Price, the first bishop), 
and Rev. John Baugh. It has been found impracticable to secure 
later data in connection with this structure. 

The Parkesburg Baptist Church was organized in 1888 with 
48 members, after having been a branch of Glen Run Church for 
manyiyears. In 1873 a lot was purchased on Rumford Street, near 
Gay, and a church building erected that year, whicdi has a seating- 
capacity of about 200, the cost of the building being |1,400. The 
pastors have been as follows: Revs. O. O. Owen, S. Y. Marsh, F. 
H. Buffum, Harrjf S. Allen of Philadelphia, for about a year aud 
a half; supplies then from Crozier; S. McGinnis about sixteen 
montlisj and at the present time William C. Stiver, who has been 
supplying the pulpit since December 1, 1897. The present mem- 
bership of the church is 50, and of the Sunday-school 30. The 
church property is valued at about |1,200. 

Olivet Baptist Church of West Chester was organized April 
1, 1897, with 113 members, of whom 112 were regularly dismissed 
by letter from the First Baptist Church. Rev. J. H. Chambers, 
who had been for several years pastor of the First Baptist Church, 
became pastor of the new organization. The Sunday-school Avas 
organized Ai^ril 1, 1897, with 111 members. For some time the 
congregation occupied the Opera House and later the Armory, but 
at lengtli a lot was i^urchased on the corner of Union and New 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 80 1 

Streets, on which a comiii odious chapel was erected earl}' in 1808 
at a cost of ii^S.OOO, the lot haviug cost |2,000. This chapel is con- 
structed of blue stone, and contains COO sittings. A church edifice 
is hereafter to be erected on Union Street front. The location of 
this church building- is in a new and thriving part of West Chester, 
and it has made rapid strides in progress and prosperity. The 
pastor, Ixev. J. H. Chambers, is an alumnus of Bucknell University 
and of Crozier Theological Seminary, and is an active, earnest man. 

St. Paul's Baptist Church (colored) of West Chester, was organ- 
ized in 1888, and a church building erected between Miner and 
Barnard Streets and between Penn aud Adams Streets. Rev. 
Asbury Smallwood was the first pastoi', remaining until 1893, when 
he was succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. J. C. King. The 
building belonging to this organization was destroyed by fire on 
Sunday, February 6, 1898, while church services were in progress 
in the other churches, St. Paul's congregation being driven out by 
the fire. They, however, immediately rented Sisters' Hall aud 
continued their seiTices therein while the old building was still 
burning. The building destroyed was worth about .'jf.jOO, on which 
there was no insui'ance, and the contents of the building, which 
were destroyed, were worth about |200. 

A new building is now (July, 1898) in process of erection, the 
cornerstone to be laid August 7. When completed, the new 
building will be worth .|3,000, and as the lots owned by the con- 
gregation cost fSOO, the entire property, including the furniture 
and organ, will be worth |4,000. 

The First Baptist Church of Kennett Square was organized 
December 20, 1882, at a council held for the purpose, seventeen 
churches being represented in the council. The first meeting held 
with this object in view was at the house of D. Duer Philips, and 
was under the direction of Rev. W. C. Naylor. Then came the 
evangelist, E. C. Romine, aud after the organization of the church 
Eev. J. M. Lyons was sent as pastor, remaining from January o, 



8o2 CHESTER COUNTY 

1S83, to January 24, 1884. Kev. Clarence Larkin became pastor 
October 12, 1884, and remained until June, 1898. 

A lot at the comer of South Union and Cypress Streets was 
purchased October 22, 1883, and ou May 12, 1885, ground was 
broken for the erection of a church. October 4, 1885, the building 
was opened for public services, llev. W. H. Conard of Philadelphia 
preaching the sermon. Up to this time tbe -services had been held 
in the second story of Taylor's Hall. The total cost of the new 
church was |5,649.25, and it was improved in 1892 at a cost of 
1280. On October 4, 1894, it was dedicated free from debt. The 
membership of the church is 160, and of the Snnday-school, 150. 
A mission of tliis church was organized at Unionville in March, 
1897. Since the dedication of the church a lot has been pui-chased 
on the north for |1,100 and an annex built thereon at a cost (.f 
|1,300. There are several societies connected with the church, all 
of which are doing good work. The present pastor of this church, 
Eev. J. Kyland Murdoch, entered upon his duties on Sunday, July 
3, 1898. 

Metliodism was introduced into Chester County, it is believed, 
by Eev. Isaac Eollins about 1772, he reacliing the center of the 
county in 1773. Shortly afterward Francis Asbury came iuto the 
county, as, according to liis journal, he reached Marlborough, 
where there was "a large congregation waiting," March 21, 1773. 
Isaac Eollins preached there that night aud on the 23d Asbury 
was at \Yoodward's, on the Brandywine. In 1783, when not far 
from Yellow Springs, Isaac Eollins was thrown from his horse and 
killed on the spot. Between these dates, 1773 and 1783, there was 
preaching at several places in Avhat is now Chester County. In 
1774 Daniel Euff and William Watters preached in this county, 
and it is thought that Eev Joseph Pilmore, one of the first Meth- 
odist missionaries to America, preached in the township of Uwch- 
lan in 1772. In 1774 an appointment was made by several 
preachers in Uwchlan, near the Little Eagle Tavern, where Ben- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 803 

sou's Chapel was built iu 1781, -where Beujauiiu Abbott preached 
in 1780. From this meeting came Hopewell Methodist Church, and 
the lot on which it stood, still having on it a few graves, is still in 
possession of the Methodists. 

Grove Methodist Church was founded in 1774, and is at the 
present time the oldest Metho<list Church organization in the 
county, those formed previously having ceased to exist. The pres- 
ent church edilice was erected in 18-44. The church was incorpo- 
rated in 1808. In connection with this church there was what 
was called the "Smith Shop," which was located a short distance 
from Boot Tavern. It became a preaching place in 1834, being put 
in condition therefor by John S. Inskip. This was not a separate 
church, but was a kind of mission iu connection with Grove 
Church. John S. Inskip was admitted on trial in 183(!, and con- 
tinued to preach for about fifty years. 

The West Chester Methodist Episcopal Church was started iu 
1815, when the first class was formed in that place. IJev. William 
Hunted had preached there, howevei*, in February, 1810, in the old 
court-house, he being presiding elder on the Schuylkill Circuit that 
year. The first church building was erected on Gay Street, east 
of Daidingtou, in 1810, and a new church was erected in 1840-42 
on the corner of Market and Darlington. Under the pastorate of 
Rev. John B. McCullough in 1800-68 this building was remodeled 
and improved. The first preacher after West Chester was set 
apart from Chester Circuit was Whitefield Hughes, and since then 
the following have been pastors here: Eevs. Daniel Parish, Jesse 
Thompson, Levi Scott, Thomas Sovereign, Josiah F. Canfield, James 
H. McFarland, Bartholomew Weed, John Lednum, Dallas D. Lore, 
AVilliam Urie, Matthew Sorin, John Nicholson, Thomas MuUer, who 
filled the vacancy caused by the death of Rev. Mr. Nicholson; Elijah 
Muller, David E. Gardner, David Shields, James L. Houston, Alfred 
Cookman, Charles Karsner, Peter J. Cox, Michael D. Kurtz, James 
M. McCarter, James R. Anderson, Curtis F. Turner, John B. McCul- 



804 CHESTER COUXTT 

lough, William Major, Wesley 0. Best, George Cnmiiiins, Sylvester 
X. Chew, Robert J. Carsou, J. T Swindells, 1884-8G; W. H. Schaffer, 
18S7-90; William J. Mills, 1891-92; T. M. Jackson, 1893-96; and D. 
M. Gordon, 1897 to the present time. 

The church property is valued at about 120,000, and the parson- 
age at $3,000. The membership at the present time is about 480, 
and the number of probationers is somewhat more than fifty. 

riKjenixville Methodist Church was formed in 1820, the first 
Methodist sermon being preached there by Rev. Samuel P. Levis. 
The first building used by this church congregation was a paint- 
shop, and their first cluirch building was erected in 1828. The 
present building was erected in 1854, during the pastorate of Kev. 
C J. Crouch. The regular pastors of the church have been as 
follows: Revs. David Shields, 1839-40; William W. McMichael, 
Thomas S. Johnson, Isaac R. Merrill, Joseph H. Wythes, Nicholas 
Ridgely, Henry R. Calloway, James Y. Ashtou, Stearns Patterson ; 
in 1853 Salem, Charlestown and Valley Forge were associated with 
Phoenixville and made a circuit, the preachers being C. J. Crouch 
and John F. Meredith; 1854, C. J. Crouch, and one to be supplied; 
1855, Samuel R. Gillingham, Wesley Reynolds; 185G, S. R. Gil- 
lingham, Charles M'. Ayars; 1857, John Shields, Horace A Cleve- 
land; 1858, John Shields, George D. Miles; 1859-00, Phcjenixville, a 
station, Allen John; William Major, Jeremiah Pastorfield, Allen 
John, James Flanneiy, George Heacock, Henry R. Calloway, John 
Dyson, Henry E. Gilroy, Goldsmith D. Oarrow, T. C. Murphey, 
1882-84; J. J. Timanus, 1885-87; H. Wheeler, 1888-92; H. T. Quigg, 
1893-94; Theodore Stevens, 1895-97, and J. E. Diverty, 1898. 

Anderson's Methodist Church, near ^'alley Forge, was organ- 
ized soon after 1780, and was in existence until about 1825, about 
which time a class was organized at Daniel McCurdy's in the Val- 
ley. Anderson's Church was named after Isaac Anderson, a very 
prominent man in his day, at whose house the meetings of this 
class were held. Mr. Anderson had been a member of the Legis- 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 805 

latiire of the State, aud also a member of Congress. Francis As- 
bury preached at his house in 1812. Eev. Jacob Gruber was the 
preacher here in 1828. Isaac Anderson was for some time a local 
preacher among the Methodists. His grandson, Eev. James Rush 
Anderson, was a member of the Philadelphia Conference of the 
Methodist Church, and died November 8, 1863. This church be- 
longs in Cochranville Circuit, Coehranville being in Lancaster 
County. 

Laurel Methodist Church was established about 1800, meet- 
ings being held for several years at the house of William Ball, who 
moved to the neighborhood of Laurel in 1T9S. Rev. Richard 
Sneath was here as preacher about 1800, the church being then in 
Chester Circuit. He came again to this circuit about 1810. In 
1812 a lot was purchased for a church building, for |1, the size 
of the lot being thirty-eight perches. The church building was 
erected on this lot in 1813. John McCarroll, father of Rev. Thomas 
McCarroll, was the first class at Laurel after the revival of the 
.society. This church belongs to Thorndale Circuit, and is sup- 
plied from that place. 

Romanville Methodist Church, in West Bradford Township, 
was established early in the present century. A cemetery was 
purchased here in 1811, upon which a church was to be erected. 
The land was conveyed by deed to Richard Webster, Isaa^c Rollins 
and John King, all of whom became famous in the ministry. One of 
the most noted Methodist divines that ever preached in (/hester 
County was Rev. Thomas McCarroll, who was admitted on trial 
in 1829, and who died May 9, 1860. The church building was im- 
proved in 1868 by Rev. John C. Gregg, at a cost of $500, and an 
addition of twelve and three-fourths perches was made to the lot 
in 1871. The ministers of this church have been as follows: The 
same as in the Grove Methodist Church up to 1833; in this year 
Laurel became a part of a new circuit, called Soudersburg, on 
which were Revs. Thomas Miller and William Kyder; 1831, Revs. 



8o6 CHESTER COUNTY 

John Leduum, Eobert E. Mori-ison, Thomas Sumption ; 1S35, John 
Ledunm, John Edwards; 1836, John Edwards, John A. Watson; 
1837, Eobert Anderson, Dallas D. Lore; 1838, Enos K. Williams, 
John A. Boyle; 1839, Enos K. Williams, Araos Griner; 1810, 
Brandywine Circuit formed, including Laurel, David E. Gardiner, 
Charles Wilson; 1811 to 1859, pastors same as in Marshalltou 
Methodist Church; 1859, with Kennett Square; 1860, with Guthrie- 
ville Circuit, Thomas Newman; 1861, Thomas Newman, who left, 
and John A. Watson was appointed to take the place; 1862-63, Ne- 
hemiah W. Benham; then followed John C. Greog, James Carroll 
and Alfred A. Fisher. In 1867 J. Pastorfield served this church 
and Marshalltou; 1868, John C. Gregg; then followed William ColT- 
man, J. W. Kuapp, Frederick lUman, Thomas Montgomery, John 
O'Neill, William W. Wisegarver, John T. Gray. 

Springfield Methodist Church was fonned in 1801, Elijah Bull 
being appointed to take charge of iit. Regular services were held 
in various dwelliug-houses until 1816, when the first church build- 
ing was erected in Springfield, West Nantmeal Township, at a cost 
of |800. The present building was erected in 1868, just across the 
street from the old one, at a cost of |10,000, the parsonage being- 
erected in 1879, at a cost of |1,150. The name of the circuit has 
been changed six times, and the following have been the pastors: 

Strasburg and Chester Circuits. — 1798, William P. Chandler, 
Daniel Higby; 1799, William Colbert, Edward Larkins, Kobert 
Bonham (sup.); 1800, Stej^hen Tiramons, Richard Sneath, Thomas 
Jones; 1801, William Hunter, Stephen Timmons, Robert McCoy; 
1802, William Hunter, John Bethel; 1803, Anniug Owen, William 
Brandon; 1804, William Hunter, Joseph Osborn, Joseph Stephens; 
1805, William Hunter, David James, James Moore; 1806, John 
W^alker, William Early; 1807, Daniel Ireland, Peter Beaver; 1808, 
Asa Smith, John Betliel, Thomas Miller; 1809 (Lancaster), James 
Smith, Thomas Burch; 1810 (Chester), Richard Sneath, John Fox; 
1811, Richard Sneath, James Laws; 1812 (Lancaster), William Tor- 



AXU ITS PEOPLE. 80.7 

belt, Joliu Fernou; 1813, Kiohard Sueath, William Torbert, Joseph 
Samson; 1S14, Asa Smitli, James Mitchell, J. Samsou; 1815, 
Thomas Miller, Phinehas Price; 1816, David Best, Thomas Miller; 
1817, I\obert Burch, John Woolsou; 1818, Robert Biirch, Phinehas 
Price; 1819, William Leonard, John Tally; 1820, John Woolson, 
William Eoss; 1821, John Woolson, Henry G. King; 1822, IT. Boehm, 
Wesley W. Wallace; 1824, Jacob Gruber, Thomas Miller, James 
Moore; 1825, Thomas Neal, George Wiltshire; 1826, Thomas Neal, 
Pharoah A. Ogden ; 1827, Samuel Grace, George G. Cookman; 1828, 
Samuel Grace, David Best, John Lednum; 1829, (Reading), 
David Best, Manlove Hazel; 1830, (Waynesburg), John 
Lednum, Daniel Fidler; 1831-32, George Woolley, Jacob Gru- 
ber; 1833, David Best, Richard W. Thomas; 1834, Thomas Miller, 
John Spear; 1835, William Torbert, Allen John, John S. Inskip; 
1836 (Springtield), William Torbert, Allen John; 1837, John Ed- 
wards, Henry Sutton; 1838, John Edwards, Henry Sutton; 1839-40, 
Jonas Bissey, Thomas Sumption; 1841, James Hand, William L. 
Gray; 1842, James B. Ayars, Arthur W. Milby; 1843, James B. 
Ayars, Peter J. Cox; 1844, James Hand, George D. Bowen; 1845, 
Richard M. Greeubauk, Samuel Pancoast; 1846, Richard M. Green- 
bank, Henry B. Manger; 1847, John Edwards, John W^alsh; 1848, 
John Edwards, Samuel R. Gillingham; 1849-50, Enos R. Williams, 
John Cummins; 1851, Eliphalet Reed, Peter Hallowell; 1852, 
Joseph Carlisle, Abi-aham Freed, John T. Gracey; 1853, Abraham 
Freed; 1854, .Joshua H. Turner, Henry R. Bodine; 1855, Joshua H. 
Turner, Jerome Lindamuth; 1856, Lewis C. Pettit, William T. 
Magee; 1857, Lewis C. Pettit, William Smith; 1858, Elijah Miller; 
1859, John Shields, E. Elliott; 1860-61, Valentine Gray, then 
follow: John A. Watson, William M. Ridgway, James F. Mc- 
Clelland, Charles J. Little, Joseph S. Lane, Thomas C. Pearsou, 
John Dyson, John W. Knapp, Benjamin T. String, Adam L. Wil- 
son, James I. Boswell, Samuel Howell, Maris Graves, J. O'Neill, 
1882-84; R. A. Mcllwaine, 1885-87; W. Powick, 1888-90; G. W. 



ao8 CHESTER COUNTY 

North, 1891-03; A. L. Hood, 1891-05; T. A. Hess, 1896; John Priesl. 
1897-98. 

Hopewell Methodist Church was kuowu originally as Batten's 
Meetiug-honse. In this locality there there was a society as early 
at least as 1805. The second building occupied as a church was 
erected in 1823, the first one having been a log building. The 
name became Hopewell probably about 1828. The third church 
edifice erected was in 1872, during the pastorates of Eevs. Allen 
John and George S. Quigley. The present edifice was erected in 
1867. The pastors haA'e been as follows: From 1805 to 1820, the 
same as those with Grove Church; 1829 to 1840, the same as those 
of the Waynesburg Cbui'ch; 1840 to 1857, the same as those of the 
Coatesville Church; 1857 to 1880, the same as those of the Hibernia 
Church; in 1881 this was a separate charge, with Rev. John W. 
Geiger, jiastor. Since then the pastors have been as follows: Revs. 
A. I. Collom, 1884-86; G. Alcorn, 1887-90; J. S. McKinlay, 1891-92; 
G. S. Kerr, 1893-97; R. C. Wood, 1898. 

Coatesville Methodist Church was formed about 1824, 
though there had been preaching by Methodists in this 
vicinity as early as 1817. During the. year 1827 Rev. 
William Cooper preached at Coatesville in a school- 
house. In 1830, as a result of a camp-meeting at Frendship in 
Highland Townshp, a number of persons were couA'erted, and 
united with the church, and in tlie fall and succeeding winter a 
school-house Avas used for meetings, held every alternate Saturday 
night. As the society increased in numbers meetings were occa- 
sionally held in the Union Meeting-house, mentioned in connection 
with the Coatesville Presbyterian Church. During 1839 the Union 
Meeting-house became too small and a building Avhich had been 
used as a blacksmith shop was secured. This building, popularly 
known as the "turtle-shell," was occupied as a church until May, 
1845, when the fir.st Methodist Church within the limits of Coates- 
ville was erected, and dedicated by the Rev. William Urie. In 



A^W ITS PEOPLE. S09 

1856 a new cliiirch was built. Prom 1S40 to the present time the 
preachers have been as follows: 

Brandywine Circuit. — 1840, David E. Gardiner, Charles Wil- 
son; 1841, Henry Sutton, Wesley Henderson; 1842, Allen John, 
George S. Quigley; 1843, Allen John, Henry S. Atmore; 1844, James 
Harmer, George W. Lybrand; 1845, James Harmer, Stearns Patter- 
son; 184fi, John Bayne, AVilliam Ivobb; 1847, John Bayne, Jacob 
Dickerson; 1848, Joseph Carlisle; 1849, Joseph Carlisle, Joseph S. 
Cook; 1850, Henry Sanderson, Joseph S. Cook; 1851, Henry Sander- 
son, T. B. Miller; 1852, John Shields, Abel Howard; 1853, John 
Shields, James N. King; 1854, George W. livbrand, E. S. Wells (six 
months), Edward T. Kenney (six months); 1855, George W. Lybrand, 
Edward T. Kenney; 1856, T. S. Thomas, A. M. Wiggins; 1857, 
Coatesville made a station and the pastors since then have been 
as follows: Revs. T. S. Thomas, William J. Faxon, William Kink, 
Isaac E. Merrill, Sylvester N. Chew, Wilmer Coffman, William S. 
Pugh, Wesley C. Johnson, John E. Kessler, Silas B. Best, Heubeu 
Owen, Charles C. McLean, Samuel W. Gehrett, A. L. Wilson, E. C. 
Yerkes ; 1891-96, H. Wheeler, D. D. ; 1897-98, . 

The church membership is about 475, and the church building, 
erected in 1883, standing on the corner of Chestnut Street and Third 
Avenue, cost |16,000, and will seat 900 persons. 

Andrews' Methodist Church was established about 1828, meet- 
ings being at first held in the house of Henry Andrews. The 
meeting-house was built in 1831, on a lot of one acre given by Mr. 
Andrews on one corner of his farm. The building was sold in 1856 
to James Smith, and by him converted into a dwelling. The pas- 
tors from 1831 to 1856 were as follows: 1831, Strasburg and Colum- 
bia circuit— Thomas Miller, Eliphalet Beed, B. W. Thomas; 1832, 
Thomas Miller, Eliphalet Eeed, John Edwards, Robert E. Morrison; 
1833 (Soudersburg circuit), Thomas Miller, W. Ryder; 1834, John 
Lednum, Robert E. Morrison, Thomas Sumption; 1835, John Led- 
uum, John Edwards; 1836, John Edwards, John A. Watson; 1837, 



Sio CHESTER COUNTY 

Robert Anderson, Dallas D. Lore; 1838, Enos E. Williams, John A. 
Boyle; 1839, Enos R. Williams, Amos Griner; 1840, Samuel Grace,, 
Thomas S.Johnson; 1841, 8amuel Grace, John D. Long; 1842, Gas- 
way Oram, John C. Owens; 1843, Gasway Oram, G. D. Carrow; 

1844, William K. Goentuer, David Titus; 1845, William K. Goent- 
ner, Henry Sanderson; 184G, Allen John, John A. Whitaker; 1847, 
Allen John; 1848, James Harmer; 1849, John Bayne, George W. 
Brindle; 1850, John Bayne, John Thompson; 1851, William L. 
Gray, John J. Jones; 1852, Samuel G. Ilare, Francis B. Harvey; 
1853, Samuel G. Hare, John O'Neill ; 1854, Thomas Newman, James 
L. Killgore; 1855, Thomas Newman, Abel Howard; 1856, John B. 
Dennison. 

Elk Ridge Methodist Church, in East Nottingham Township, 
was organized about 1825, a class meeting being held that year 
in the house of Abraham Buckalew. The church building was 
completed in 1832, at a cost of |1,300. The pastors here have been as 
follows: 1830 (with Port Deposit Circuit), George Woolley, William 
Bloomer; 1831, Thomas McCarroll, Robert E. Kemp; 1832, Thomas 
McCarroll, J. B. Hagany; 1833, Jacob Gruber, John Spear; 1834, 
Levi Storks, Edward Kenuard; 1835 (with Northeast Circuit), 
P. E. Coombe, C. J. Crouch; .183(; (with West Nottingham Circuit), 
Samuel Grace, John S. Inskip; 1839, W. Torbert, M. D. Kurtz; 
1840, W. Torbert, Charles Schock; 1841, William C. Thomas, H. S. 
Atmore; 1842, Edward Kenuard, James M. McCarter; 1843, George 
Barton, D. L. Patterson; 1844, George Barton, Abraham Freed; 

1845, Eliphalet Reed, Henry B. Manger; 1846, Leeds K. Berridge, 
Th(mias Miller; 1847, J(din D. Long, J. A. Whitaker; 1848, C. 
Schock, W. Ifobb; 1849, C. Scheuck; 1850, Jonas Bissey; 1851 (Ox- 
ford Circuit), Jonas Bissey, John Thompson; 1852, John F. Boone, 
Reuben Owen; 1853, John Cummins, A. Howard; 1854, John Cum- 
mins, John Byson; 1855, John Edwards; 1856, T. B. Miller, E. T. 
Keuney; 1857, T. B. Miller, II. H. Bodine; 1858, John B. Dennison,. 
John France; 1859, John B. Dennison, T. F. Plummer; 1860-01 



AND /7^' PEOPLE. 8ii 

(New London and Elk Ridge), John France; 1803, C. J. Crouch; 
1864, G. L. Scbaffer; 1865, H. II. Bodine; 1866-67, W. P. Howell; 
1868, H. B. Manger, Levi B. Hoffman; 1869-70, John C. Gregg, 
J. C. Wood; 1871, John Shields, Eobert C. Wood, F. B. Harvey; 
1872, John Shields, F. B. Harvey, A. H. Maryott; 1873, John 
Shields; 1874-75, George W. Lybrand; 1876-77, Thomas Mont- 
gomery; 1878-79, Matthias Barnhill; 1880-81, Alden W. Quimby. 

Flint Hill Methodist Church in Franklin Township was or- 
ganized shortly prior to 1829, the first class meetings being held 
in Daughterty's paper mill. Tlie first church building erected was 
destroyed by fire in 1850, and was rebuilt in 1861. For list of pas- 
tors the reader is referred to the sketch of the New London Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. 

Marshallton Methodist Church was organized about 1828, the 
first preaching place being a wheelwright shop, and there was also 
preaching by Rev. William Hodgson in the dwelling-house of 
Daniel Davis. The first church building was erected in 1829, and 
the appointments for this church appear in the West Chester list 
until 1811, since which time the pastors have been as follows: 
1811, Henry Sutton, Wesley Henderson; 1812, Allen John, 
George S. Quimby; 1813, Allen John, H. S. Atmore; 1811, James 
Harmer, George AY. Lybrand; 1815, James Harmer, Stearns Pat- 
terson; 1846, John Bayne, William Robb; 1847, John Jayne, Jacob 
Dickerson; 1848, Joseph Carlisle; 1849, Joseph S. Carlisle, Joseph C. 
Cook; 1850, Henry Sanderson, Joseph S. Cook; 1851, Henry San- 
derson, T. B. Miller; 1852, John Shields, Abel Howard; 1853, John 
Shields, James X. King; 1854, George W. Lybrand, E. S. Wells, 
E. T. Kenney, the latter two six months each; 1855, George W. 
Lybrand, E. T. Kenney; 1856, T. S. Thomas, A. M. Wiggins; 
1857, John Cummins, John France; 1858, John Edwards, 
J. O. Sypherd; 1859, made a station since when the pastors have 
been: 1859-60, Joseph Smith; 1861, Joseph S. Cook, then followed 
S. K. Kurtz, William H. Price, Alfred A. Fisher, John Edwards, 



8i2 CHESTER COUNTY 

Jereiiiiali Pastorfield, Frederick Illmau, Thomas Montgomery^ 
John O'Neil, William W. Wisegarver, Jolm T. Gray, 1882-83; J. 
Diingan, 1884-86; J. H. Smith, 1887; L. B. Hughes, 1888-89; II. C 
Boudwiu, 1890-03; L. Eisenbeis, 1894; Edward Towuseml, 1895-98. 

A'alley Forge Methodist Cliiu'ch was established about 1832, 
itineraut ministers having made their appearance here the year 
before, and the church building being begun in 1833. In the mean- 
time Jacob Gruber and George Wooley preached in an old red 
frame school-house, known sometimes as the ''synagogue." When 
the new church was nearly completed a fierce wind carried off tlie 
roof, and the congregation was compelled to worship in the base- 
ment for a time, and was unable to complete their building until 
1837. This church has had a checkered history, sometimes being 
weak, at other times strong, but it has always held its ground in 
some way. About 1839 and 1840 Rev. Dayid Shields and his broth- 
ers, John and Eichard, were quite regular in their attendance, and 
among those who have since ministered to the spiritual necessities 
of this church have been Rev. George Haj^cock, Rev. C. I. Thomp- 
son, Rev. Robert A. Mcllwaiu, Rev. L. Taylor Dugan, Rev. Joseph 
H. Boyd, Rev. William Powick, and Rev. John Bell. Since 1880 
the preachers liere have been as follows: T. K. Peterson, 1884; 
J. J. Tim anus, 1885-86; John Flint, 1887-89; Samuel Gracey, 1890- 
94; J. M. Tomlinson, 1895-96, and D. C. Kauffman, 1897-98. 

Good-Will Methodist Church was established about 1832, de- 
riving its name, some say, from the Good-Will School-house, and 
as others say, from a dream of Thomas Millard, who had donated 
the land, and in his dream he heard the passage: "On earth peace, 
good-will toward men." The Church is on Good-Will Road, in 
West Nautmeal Township. The building was erected in 1832, at 
a cost of .|1,600, was remodeled in 1877, and is valued now at 
about •'if3,000. The pastors from 1831 to the present time have 
been as follows: From 1831 to 1853, same as those of the Waynes- 
burg Church; 1853 to 1871, with Springfield Circuit and same as. 



AxYD ITS PEOPLE. 813 

those of the Spriugfiehl Chiircli; 1871 to 1S77, associated witli 
Springton Circuit, ministers, William K. Maoneal, Maris Graves, 
David M. Gordon, William W. Wisegarver; 187S, made a separate 
charge, ministers since then, George Mack, William Kedheffer, C. 
Lee Gaul, George E. Kleinheim, J. S. McKinlay, E. Townsend, N. 
B. Masters, and Jethro B. Coleman, the ])resent pastor. During 
the pastorate of Eev. Mr. Gaul 1881-87, a beautiful and substantial 
stone parsonage was erected, and while Kev. Mr. Masters was pas- 
tor, 1895-97, the church building Avas enlarged and improved at 
a cost of 12,000. The cliurch property is worth f (5,500; the church 
membership is 113, and the Sunday-school has 200 scholars. 

Dowuingtown Methodist Church was established about 1825, 
preaching being had first at the house of William Wiggins, the 
first member. Meetings were held sometimes in a wheel-wriglit 
shop and sometimes in the house of Shepherd Ayres, who was the 
first classdeader. The church was built in 1833, on a lot pur- 
chased of Thomas Webster, the material being of stone, and the 
cost .|(318. The Sunday-school was established June 28, 1835. 
The old church having become too small for the congregation, in 
18G0 a lot was purchased across the street, on which a new churrh 
building was erected, and dedicated in 18(i8. This church has be- 
longed to Chester Circuit, to Badnor, Brandy wine, and Grove, 
becoming a separate charge in 1807. The pastors have been from 
1821 as follows: From 1824 to 1840 same as those of Grove 
Church; 1840 to 1853, same as those of Coatesville Church; 1853 
to 1867, same as those of Grove Church; since 1807 as follows: 
David W. Gordon, William ^^^ McMichael, George T. Ilurlock, 
George S. Broadbent, John Stringer, George G. Rakestraw, 1881 to 
1884; George T. Ilurlock, 1884 to 1887; Dr. Thomas Kelly, 1887 to 
1889; A. L. Wilson, 1889 to 1894; George M. Brodher, 1894 to 1895; 
John Walker Jackson, D. D., 1895 to 1897, and William H. Pickop, 
1897 to the pi-esent time. The present church building, located on 
Brandywine Avenue, at the head of Washington Avenue, was 



8 14 CHESTER COUNTY 

erected in 1889-90, and dedicated on the third Sunday in May, 1890. 
It is of stone, will seat, together with the Sunday-school room,700, 
and the church property is Aalued at |18,000. The membership is 
282, and of the Sunday-school 210. 

Sadsbury Methodist Church was established about 1833, in 
which year aud the next the church edifice was erected. The pas- 
tors have been as follows: 1832, Thomas Miller, Eliphalet Reed, 
Johu Edwards; 1833 (Soudersburg- Circuit), Thomas A. Miller, 
William Hyder; 1834, John Lednum, Kobert E. Moii'ison; 1835, 
John Lednum, John Edwards; 1836, John Edwards, John A. Wat- 
son; 1837, Robert Anderson, Dallas D. Lore; 1838, Enos R. Will- 
iams; 1839, Enos R. Williams; 1810, Samuel Grace, Thomas S. 
Johnson; 1841, Samuel Grace, Thomas S. Johnson; 1842, Gasway 
Oram, John C. Owens; 1843, Gasway Oram, G. D. Carrow; 1844, 
William K. Goentner, Da^id Titus; 1845, William K. Goentner, 
Heni-y Sanderson; 1846, Allen John, J. A. Whitaker; 1847, Allen 
John; 1848, James Harmer; 1849 (Cochranville Circuit), Johu 
Bayne; 1850, Johu Bayne, John Thompson; 1851, William L. Gray, 
Johu J. Jones; 1852, Samuel G. Hare, Francis B. Harvey; 1853 
Samuel G. Hare, John O'Neill; 1854 (Brandy wine Circuit), George 
W. Lybrand, E. S. Wells, E. T. Kenney, the latter two six months 
each; 1855, George W. Lybraud, E. T. Kenney; 1856, T. S. Thomas, 
A, M. Higgins; 1857 to 1S80, same as those of Coatesville Church; 
1881, with Hibernia and Thorndale, S. O. Garrison. 

Unionville Methodist Church was organized about 1835, 
though there had been preaching in this vicinity from about 1774, at 
Thomas Preston's house, and from that time on up to the organiza- 
tion of the church. Rev. John Lednum preached in the summer 
time from 1835 to 1836 in Preston's woods, having quite a revival. 
An old log school-house was first used, then the academy building 
until the new church was erected in 1839-40, at a cost of about |500. 
The pastors here have been as follows: 1835 (Soudersburg Circuit), 
John Lednum, John Edwards; 1836, John Edwards, John A. Wat- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. .815 

sou; 1837, Robert Audersou, Dallas D. Lore; 183S, Enos R. Will- 
iams, John A. Boyle; 1839, Enos R. Williams, Amos Griner; 1840 
to 1858 (Brandy wine Circuit), same as those of Marshallton Church; 
1859 (Keunett Square), Lewis Chambers; 1861 (Marshallton and 
LTnionville), Joseph Cook; lS(!2-03 (ilarshallton and Keunett 
Square), S. W. Kurtz; 18(34, William II. Fries; 1SG5, Alfred A. 
Fisher; 186G, John Edwards; ISGT (Kennett Square and Unionville), 
John Edwards; 18G9-7(I (Chatham and Kennett Square), Robert C. 
Wood; 1872, George Alcorn; 1873, A. L. Hood; and from that time 
on until 1881, the folloAviug: E. C. Yerkes, Edward L. McKeever, 
Elim Kirk, W. K. Galloway, W. F. Sheppard, aud S. T. Horner. 
About this time, 1880, the society was disbanded and the church 
was closed'. 

Hibernia Methodist Church Avas established about 1840, a 
church building being erected that year or the next. The pastors, 
here have been as follows: 1840 to 1857, the same as those at 
Coatesville Church; 1857 to 1860, part of Brandy wine Circuit, John 
Cummins, John France, John Edwards, John B. Quigg; 18G0-61 
(Guthrieville Circuit), preachers since then: Thomas Newman, 
X. W. Bennum, John C. Gregg, James Carroll, Alfred A. Fisher, 
William Coffman, George A. Wolfe, Wesley C. Johnson, Edward 
Townsend, Henry F. Isett, Israel M. Gable, S. O. Garrison, W. 
Powick, 1882-83; A. I. Collom, 1884-8G; G. Calloway, 1887-90; J. S. 
McKiulay, 1891-92; G. S. Kerr, 1893-97; R. C. Wood, 1898. 

Charlestown Methodist Church was started about 1830, Method- 
ism having been introduced into this neighborhood by Rev. David 
Best. The church was erected in 1840 at a cost of f 1,200. From 
1830 to 1852 the pastors were the same as those at Grove Church; 
1853 to 1858, same as at Phoenix ville; and since then as follows: 
Lewis C. Pettit, John O'Xeill, James Hand, John Edwards, 
William Hammond, Thomas Sumption, Daniel L. Patterson, Will- 
iam T. Magee, George A. Wolfe, John D. Fox, Richard Kaines, 
Frederick M. Brady, 1881-82; A. W. (iuimby, 1884-86; J. A. 
48 



8i6 CHESTER COUNTY 

Cooper, 1887; W. H. Zweizio^, 1888; F. B. Harvey, 1889-91; A. A, 
Thompson, 1892-94; Frederick Illman, 1895-96; Allen Judd, 
1897-98. 

Temple Methodist Chnrch, in Xorth Co^'eutry Township, was 
established abont 1810, in A\hich year a class was formed by Rev. 
James Harmer. In 1813 a "slab shanty" was erected for a 
meeting-honse on the site of the present church, and in 1811 a 
stone church building was erected, 30x10 feet, by Revs. Peter J, 
Cox and David R. Thomas, they calling it the Temple, hence the 
name of the church. The pastors have been as follows: James 
Harmer, James Flannery, Henry B. Manger, D. Titus, Peter J. 
Cox, David R. Thomas, up to 1811. From this year to 1859, same 
as with the Bethel Church. Then followed John O'Neill, Silas B. 
Root, Jerome Lindemuth, Samuel T. Kemble, Valentine Gray, 
Samuel Lucas, Thomas Sumption, George S. Conoway, John T. 
Swindells, William M. Dalrymple, Thomas C. Pearson, John 
Shields, up to 1870, in which year this church became a separate 
charge, and since then: John A. Cooper, John Edwards, Joseph J. 
Sleeper, Hiram U. Sebring, George W. Lybraud, J. Ramford, H. H. 
Bodine, W. Bamford, and the following as sup])lies: Amos Crowell, 
R. Cooper, A. E. Piper, J. E. McVeigh and W. 11. Stewart. 

In 1871 the church building was rebuilt, the size being made 
37x55 feet, with end gallery and two class-rooms, the cost being 
$2,300. It was dedicated October 11, 1871. 

Washington Methodist Church was formed in 1819, the mem- 
bership springing up to seventy-five within eighteen months. A 
school-house was used as a hou.se of wor,ship until the church was 
erected in 1811, at a cost of about |100. It was rejjaired and im- 
proved in 1867 or 1868. The pastors here have been as follows: 1821 
to 1832, same as those with Grove Church; 1832, Thomas Miller, 
Eliphalet Reed, John Edwards, Robert E. Morrison, being then 
connected with Strasburg and Columbia Circuits; 1833 (Souders- 
burg Circuit), Thomas Miller, William Ryder; 1831, John Lednum, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 817 

Eobert E. Morrison; 1835, John Lednum, John Edwards; 1830, John 
Edwards, John A. Watson; 1837, Eobert Anderson, Dallas D. Lore; 
1838, Enos R. Williams, John A. Boyle; 1839, Enos E. Williams, 
Amos Griner; 1840 (Brandywine Circuit), and ministers from that 
time to 1S81, same as those with Laurel Church. Since then the 
ministers and supplies have been as follows: C. L. Gaul, W. C. Graff, 
W. E. Smith, G. J. Schall, H. E. Bozorth, J. E. McVeigh, J. P. Bur- 
dette, S. McWilliams and F. Mack, the latter in 1898. 

Bethel Methodist Church, in South Coventry Township, was 
organized about 1844, the church building having been erected that 
year, although services according to Methodist forms had been 
held for several years. When the church was dedicated the mem- 
bership was about twenty. In 1875 this church was associated 
with Temple and St. James' churches and made a separate charge. 
The following have been the pastors in connection with the Potts- 
town Circuit: 1844, Peter J. Cox, David E. Thomas; 1845, Peter J. 
Cox, John Shields; 1846, John W. Arthur; 1847, John W. Arthur; 
1848, John C. Thomas; 1849, John C. Thomas, James E. Meredith; 
1850, George E. Crooks; 1851, Allen John, Joshua H. Turner; 1852, 
James Hand, Levi B. Beckley; 1853, James Hand, William E. 
Manlove; 1854, Abraham Freed, John F. Meredith; 1855, Abraham 
Freed, Noble Frame; 1856, John Edwards; 1857, John Edwards, 
William T. Magee; 1858, Daniel L. Patterson, Lewis C. Pettit; 1859, 
Daniel L. Patterson, John Brandreth; 1860, John B. Dennison, 
Isaac Last; 1861, John B. Dennison, John A. Watson; 1862, Val- 
entine Gray, Lorenzo D. McClintock; 1863, Joseph Aspril, D. W. 
Gordon; 1864, Samuel G. Hare, Samuel H. Eeisuer; 1805, Samuel 
G. Hare; 1866, John Allen, Adam L. Wilson; 1867, John Allen; 
1808-09, J. P. Miller; 1870-71, Eichard Turner; 1872-73, John H. 
Wood; 1874, John Eaymond; 1875-77, Hiram U. Sebring; 1878-80, 
George W. Lybrand; 1881, J. Bamford; 1881-83, G. L. Schaffer; 
1883, T. M. Mutchler; 1884, C. M. Simpson; 1885-80, W. MuUin; 
1887, L. D. McClintock; 1888, A. M. Wiggins; 1890, E. W. Burke; 
1891-92, N. H. Beyer; 1893-90, J. F. Kingsley; 1897-98. 



8 1 8 CHESTER CO UNT Y 

i^pring City Methodist Cliuri-li, in East Vinoeut Townshij), 
Avas establislied about 1845, tbe tirst meetings being lield in what 
Avas known as the Lyceum Building, on Main Street. The 
tirst cliurch building, built as a union building in IS-IG, was pur- 
chased by the Methodists in 184S. Its cost was |1,120. The pres- 
ent editice, which was begun in ls72 and coni])leted in 1880, cost 
18,000. The pastors here have been as follows: In connection 
with Pottstown Circuit, 1811, Peter J. Cox, David \l. Thomas; 1845, 
Peter J. Cox and John Shields; 1846-47, J. W. Arthur; 1848, John 

C. Thomas; 1849, John C. Thomas, James E. Meredith; 1850, 
George R. Crooli; 1851, Allen John, Joshua 11. Turner; 1852, James 
Hand, Levi H. Beokley; 1853, James Hand, William E. Manlove; 
1854, Abraham Freed, John F. Meredith; 1855, Abraham Freed, 
IS'oble Frame; 1856, John Edwards; connected with Evansburg 
mission . in 1857, Joseph Dare; 1858 (with Perkiomen Circuit), 
William T. Magee; 1859-60, Jacob Slicher; 1861, William M. Kidg- 
way; 1862, William M. Kidgway, D. W. Gordon; 1863, IJeuben 
Owen; 1864, Eeuben Owen, Henry F. Isett; 1865-66, James Hand; 
1867, Edward Townsend, Thomas B. Neely; 1868-69 (Springville, 
associated with Betliel), Jacob P. ililler; and since then as follows: 
Kichard Turner, John H. Wood, Eli Pickersgill, David H. Shields, 
Joseph P. Graff, N. D. McComas, 1882-84; J. O'Xeil, 1884; H. B. 
Cassavaut, 1885-87; J. Bawdeu, 1888-90; L. B. Brown, 1891-94; 

D. M. Gordon, 1895-96, and S. H. Evans, 1897-98. 

Glen Moore Methodist Cluirch, In ^Vallace Townshiii, was es- 
tablished about 1832, a class being formed in 1831, near Glen 
Moore Station. In 1844 a church was built near Brandywiue 
Creek, and named Springton Methodist Episcopal Church. The 
cost of the building was -lljlOU. In 1873 a new church was erected 
at a cost of |10,500. When organized this church was included 
in the W^aynesburg Circuit, called, in 1836, Springfield. The pas- 
tors here from 1831 to 1871 were the same as those with Spring- 
field Church; in 1871-72, ^^'illianl K. MacXeal, and since then, Maris 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 819 



(•- 



Graves, D. M. (lordoii, AVilliam ^^'. Wiseoarver, Robert A. M 
Ilwain, George Gaul, Edward Devine, William H. Pickop, William 
F. Shepard, Edward Townseiid, Charles W. Green, C. M. Hadda- 
way, Franc-is B. Harvej, and Henry S. Beales, the present pastor, 
who came to this church in the spring of 1897. The value of the 
church property is |14,000, the church membership, 147, and that 
of the i-^unday-school, 12!t. 

Landenburg Methodist Ghnrch was established about 1848, 
a chui'ch building being-erected that year at a cost of SSOO. From 
1869 to 1881 the pastors were the same as those with Elk Ridge 
Church. 

Xew London Methodist Church was established about 18.",0, 
the first class-leader being William liudolph, and the fii"st preach- 
ing in New London Academy. The church was erected in 1850, 
and leased by the Odd Fellows to the church society for ninety- 
nine years. On Sunday, August 17, 1851, Rev. Jimas Bissey was 
killed by lightning in the church. The pastors have been the same 
as those with Elk Ridge ('hurch, but since 1880 they have been 
here as follows: A. W. Quiniby, 1881-83; E. Potts, 1884-8G; F. M. 
Brady, 1887; H. C. Boudwin, 1888-89; C. W. Langley, 1890-94; ii. 
Barnhill, 1895-9G; R. J. McBeth, 1897, and J. G. Cornwell, 1898. 

Peuuing-tonville Methodist Church was started about 1845, 
the first Methodist preaching being in the slioi) of Charles Reese. 
Afterward Independence Hall was rented, and services held 
therein once in two weeks. In 1853 a church edifice was begun, 
the basement of which was first used for worship in 1854, and the 
upper room was dedicated June 3 and 4, 1800, the cost of the 
building being f:4,000. The pastors here have been as follows: 
1845, William K. Goentner, Henry Sanderson; 1840, Allen John, 
J. A. Whitaker; 1847, Allen .Tolin; 1848, James Harmer; 1849 
(Cochranville Circuit), John Bayne, George W. Brindle; 1850, John 
Bayne, John Thompson; 1851, ^Villiam L. Gray, John J. Jones; 
1852, Samuel G. Hare, Francis B. Harvey; 1853, Samuel G. Hare, 



820 CHESTER COUNTY 

John O'Neill; 1854, Thomas Newman, James L. Killgore; 1855, 
Thoma.s Newman, Abel Howard; 185G, John B. Dennison, John 
Hersej; 1857, John B. Dennison, John E. Kessler; 1858, John Cum- 
mins; 1S59, John Cummins, Nathan B. Durrell; 1800-61, William 
H. Burrell; 1862, Joseph Dare, Kobert W. Jones; 1863, Henry B. 
Manger, Eobert W. Jones; 186-4, Henry B. Manger, Wil- 
mer Coffman; 1865, Valentine Gray, Wesley C. Johnson; 
1866, Valentine Gray, Levi B. Hoifman; 1867, Samuel Pan- 
coast, John D. Kigg; 1868, Samuel Paneoast, Thomas Morris; 1869, 
Joseph Aspril, John W. Wright; 1870, Joseph Aspril, William 
Downey; since then, Joseph Aspril, William W. McMichael, Isaac 
E. Merrill, Ephraim Potts and Francis B. Harvey; Israel M. Gable 
and Francis B. Harvey; , Israel M. Gable, William P. Howell 
David H. Shields, Hiram U. Sebring, David T. Smythe, Arthur 
Oakes, G. W. Beatty, Eichard Bayliss, I. C. Kirkesleger, A. E. Piper, 
Thomas Price, Urban E. Sargent, Charles Burns, Francis B. Har- 
vey, A. M. Strayhorn, Joseph L. Gensemer, and the present pastor, 
Eev. Bertram Shay. The church property is valued at about 
|!5,000. 

Salem Methodist Church was established in 1833, about which 
time a church was erected which lasted the congregation until 
1874, when a new church was erected, which was dedicated May 
1, 1875, and the cost of which was $6,000. The pastore of this 
church have been as follows: 1833 (Chester Circuit), James B. 
Ayars, Eobert E. Morrison, John Edwards; 1834 (Eadnor Circuit), 
David Best, Eichard W. Thomas; 1835, Eichard W. Thomas, John 
Perry; 1836, William Cooper, Jesse Ford; 1837, William Cooper, 
James Hand; 1838, James B. Ayars, Charles W. Jackson; 1839, 
James B. Ayars, Frederick Gram; 1840, Henry G. King, James 
Neill; 1841, Henry G. King, Levin M. Prettyman; 1842, George 
Lacey, C. J. Couch; 1843 (Grove Circuit), Thomas Sumption, Thomas 
C Murphey; 1844, Thomas Sumption, James E. Anderson; 1845, 
David Dailey, John W. Mecaskey; 1846, David Dailey, George W. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 821 

Lvbrantl; 1848, H. S. Atmore aucl local preachers; 184<J, James 
Harmer, Stearus Patterson; 1850, James Harmer, William C. Eob- 
inson; 1851, Joseph H. Wythes, John H. Boyd; 1852, John U. 
Wythes, John J. Jones; 1853 (Phoenixville Circuit), C. J. Crouch, 
John F. Meredith; 1854, C. J. Crouch; 1855, Samuel R. Gillingham, 
Wesley Reynolds; 1850, Samuel R. Gillingham, Charles AY. Avars; 
1857, John Shields, Horace A. Cleveland; 1858, John Shields, 
George D. Mills; 1859 (Salem Circuit), Levi'is C. Pettit; and since 
then, John O'Neill, James Hand, John Edwards, William 
Hammond, Thomas Sumption, Daniel L. Patterson, William T. 
Magee, Ravel Smitli, Samuel W. Smith, whose unexpired term was 
filled by Andrew Gather; William H. Aspril, Ephraim Potts, An- 
drew L. Amthor, 1881; J. McQuoid, 1882-83; E. Towusend, 1884; 
Thomas Montgomery, 1885-87; J. W. Hudson, 1888-89; Richard 
Morelly, 1890; Lewis A. Pascells, 1891-96; T. N. Hyde, 1897-98. 

The Berwj'n Methodist Ejjiscopal Church grew out of a Sun- 
day-school organized in 1881, in the house of Peter W. Ziegler, 
living near Devon, who was its first superintendent. The move- 
ment was inaugurated by the Rev. Andrew Gather, and shortly 
afterward an inexpensive frame chapel was erected, in which 
Enoch S. Wells, William A. Fisher, G. Wilde Linn, M. D., and other 
local preachers officiated. This building collapsed in the winter 
of 1883, owing to an accumulation of snow on the roof, and then, 
as some of the members lived at Berwyn, the services were trans- 
ferred to that place, but the charge was knowu in the minutes of 
the conference of that year as the Devon Church. In March, 1884, 
the societA' was connected with Salem charge. Rev. Edward Town- 
send, pastor, aud a church lot was purchased. In March, 1885, 
Berwyn was made a separate charge, with Rev. Daniel Hartman, 
-after Avhom Governor Hastings was named, as pastor. In March, 
1886, Rev. Alexander M. Wiggins Avas ai)poiuted pastor, and in 
that year the erection of a tasteful stone church was begun. In 
March, 1888, Rev. Samuel C. Carter became pastor, and prosecuted 



82 2 CHESTER COUNTY 

the work of biiikling the church, completing- it, and dedicating it 
on December 30. In March, 1889, Hex. Charles W. Straw became 
pastor, and remained until March, 1894, when Hey. Franklin F. 
Bond succeeded him, and remained until Marcli, 189<>, when the 
present pastor, Kev. Alden W. Quimby, became pastor. The mem- 
bership of the churcli is now seventy, and the value of the clnuch 
property, including tlie parsonage, is |13,000. 

The Pomeroy Methodist Church has had the fidlowing pas- 
tors: Eev. J. T. Gray, 1884-86; «ev. E. Devine, 1887-88; Rev. J. M. 
Wheeler, 1889-90; Kev. B. F Miller, 1891-92; Rev. Matthias Barn- 
hill, 1893-94 Rev. Delaplain Gollie, 1895-96; Revs. J. W. Williams 
and Albert Clegg, 1897, and Rev. J. W. Miles, 1898. Under the 
pastorate of Rev. B. F. Miller, the church building was remodeled 
and greatly improved, and the church itself is now h separate 
charge. 

Oxford Methodist Church was established about 1828, services 
being conducted from that year to 1851 in Hopewill Mill. In the 
latter year a church edifice was erected and dedicated bj- Revs, 
Francis Hodgson and Andrew Manship. The delay in erecting a 
church building here was in the opposition to Methodism, which 
led everyone to refuse to sell ground upon which to erect a church. 
At length this difficulty was overcome by a stranger purchasing the 
land on which the present Baptist Church building stands. The 
first parsonage was built in 1877 or 1878, and the present one in 
1886. The pastors here have been as follows: 1828 (Strasburg Cir- 
cuit), George Woolley, John Nicholson; 1829, George Woolley, 
Thomas McCarroU; 1830 (Port Deposit Circuit), George Woolley, 
AVilliam Bloomer; 1831 (Cecil Circuit), William Torbert, James 
Nichols; 1832, William Torbert, William Spry; 1833, Eliphalet 
Reed, George M. Yard; 1834, Levi Stork, Edward Kennard, John A. 
Roach; 1835 (Northeast Circuit), Peunell Coombe, C. J. Crouch; 
1836 (West Nottingham), William Ryder, C. J. Crouch; 1837-38 
(Nottingham), Samuel Grace, John S. Inskip; 1839, William 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 823 

Torbert, M. D. Kurtz; 1S40, William Torbert, Charles Scboek; 1841, 
William C. Thomas, H. S. Atmore; 1842, Edward Kenmird, James 
McCarter; 1843, George Bartou, D. L. Patterson; 1844, George Bar- 
ton, A. Freed; 1845, Eliphalet Eeed, H. B. Manger; 1840, Leeds K. 
Beuidge, Thomas Miller; 1847, John D. Long, J. A. Whitaker; 
1848, Charles Schoek, "William Kobb; 1849, Charles Schock; 1850, 
Jonas Bissey; 1851 (Oxford Circuit), Jonas Bissej^ John Thomp- 
son; 1852, John F. Boone, Reuben Owen; 1853, John Cummins, 
Abel Howard; 1854, John Cummins, John Dyson; 1855, John 
Edwards; 1856, T. B. Miller, E. T. Kenney; 1857, T. B. Miller, 
Henry H. Bodiue; 1858, John B. Dennison, Nathan B. Durell; 
1859, John B. Dennison, Thomas F. Plummer; 1860, Joseph Car- 
lisle; 1861, James Hand; 1863-64, Thomas Sumption; 1865-66, 
Francis B. Harvey; 1867, IL B. Manger, W. M. Gilbert; 1868, made 
a separate station, and since then the ministers have been: John 
Stringer, A. M. Wiggins, Levi B. Hoffman, Samuel G. Hare, Benja- 
min T. Strong, George A. Wolfe, Matthew Sorin, James C. W^ood, 
Bichard Kaines, 1880-83; W. Bamford, 1884-87; A. G. Kynett, 1888; 
T. Kelly, 1889; J. P. Miller, 1890-91; W. W. Cookman, 1892-94; 
George Cummins, 1895; D. S. Sherry, 1896; W. J. Mills and A. D. 
Mink, 1897-98. 

The membership of the church is 400; Sabbath-school, 250; 
value of property, |20,000. 

Kennett Square Methodist Church appears first as a mission 
in 1853, and in 1854 there were eighteen members and forty-five 
probationers. The pastors have been as follows: 1854 (Mount 
Salem and Kennett Square Mission), Thomas W. Simpers, William 
M. Dalrymple; 1855-56 (Kennett Square Mission), Francis B. Har- 
vey; 1857-58, John Dyson; 1859, L. Chambers; 1860, Joseph Cook; 
1861 (with Marshallton and Union ville), Joseph Cook; 1862-63 
(Marshalltou and Kennett Square), Samuel W. Kurtz; 18()4, 
William H. Fries; 186.5, Alfred A. Fisher; 1866, John Edwards; 
1867 (Kennett Square and Union ville), John Edwards; 1868 (Ken- 



8-4 CUESTER COUNTY 

nett Square), 1809-70 (Chatham and Keunett Square), Francis B. 
Harvey-, William W. Barlow; and since then at Kennett Square, 
Kobert C. Wood, George Alcorn, A. L. Hood, E. C. Yerkes, E. J. 
McKeever, Elim Kirk, W. F. Sheppard, S. T. Horner, H. E. Robin- 
son, J. S. McKinlay, 1884; J. E. Grauley, 1885-8G; H. C. Boudwin, 
1887; A. F. Taylor, 1888-89; O. C. Burt, 1890-91; George Alcorn, 
1892-94 ; T. N. Hyde, 1896, and J. H. Earp, 1897-98. In 1854 a frame 
church building was erected, which lasted until 1884, when it was 
superseded by a substantial brick edifice erected on the same site, 
which was dedicated in 1885, free of debt. Since then a neat par- 
sonage has been erected. In 1891 an Epworth League was organ- 
ized in connection with the church. 

St. JamcKs' Methodist Chiirch was organized first as a class 
at Cedarville in 1871. In 1872 John EdAvards was pastor, and in 
1873-74 Joseph J. Sleeper. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. 
Sleeper George Wagner gave the organization a piece of ground 
on which to erect a churcli, which was 37x60 feet in size, and the 
basement of which was dedicated June 27, 3874, and the main 
audience room dedicated in 1877. The pastors here have been 
Revs. Thomas A. Feruley, Joseph J. Sleeper, H. W. Sebring, 
George W. Lybrand, J. Bamford, and Curtis T. Turner being the 
supply at the present time. 

The Parkesburg Methodist Episcopal Church was organized 
in 1875, but there had previously been services there by Methodist 
ministers. A stone church building erected by the Baptists, 
but afterward owned by the Episcopalians, became their place of 
worship, they renting it until 1879, when they purchased it. This 
building was occupied until 1890, when it was sold to the Odd 
Fellows, and a fine new brick church building erected on Main 
Street, at a cost of |8,000. This new building involved the society 
in financial difficulties, but under the i^astorate of Rev. J. W. Jack- 
son the debt was reduced to •1f2,400; and during the pastorate of Rev. 
F. A. Gacks this indebtedness was paid, and the church is now free 



AND ITfi PEOPLE. 825 

from debt. The church was connected with Atglen Circuit until 
1882, when it became a separate charge. The present membership 
is 235, with a membership in the Sunday-school of 250. 

The ministers have been as follows: Ephraim Polk, I. M. 
Gable, William P. Howell, David Shields, H. N. Sebring, John F. 
Oray, Edward Devine, John M. Wheeler, J. W. Jackson, J. E. 
Diverty and F. A. Gacks, the latter of whom came to the church 
in March, 1896, and is pastor at the present time. 

Hamt)rton Methodist Church was started in 1872, when a h.i 
was donated on which to erect a building, and on which a near, 
frame building was erected in 1873 at a cost of $3,000. Tlie pan- 
tors have been the same as those at Kennett Square, up to 1881 ; 
since then they have been as follows: J. S. McKinlay, J. E. Grau 
ley, H. C. Boudwin, A. F. Taylor, O. C. Burt, George Alcorn, T. X. 
Hyde and J. P. Earp. 

Thorndale Methodist Church was started in 1875, by Kev. 
George S. Broadbent, while he was pastor at DoAvingt()wn. The 
services were continued through 1875 and 1877 by hiin, and by 
liev. John Stringer tlirough 1878-79-80, and during this latter year 
a ueat chapel Avas erected and dedicated. In 1881 it was associ- 
ated with Hibernia and Sadsbury Methodist Churches, Rev. S. O. 
Garrison being the pastor. Since then the pastors have been as 
follows: W. Powick, 1882-83; John Bell, 1S81-8G; I. C. Kirk, 
1888; A. F. Greenig, 1890; L. B. McCliutock, 1891-96; John Boehm, 
1897, and J. W. Fryer, 1898. 

Avondale Methodist Church had its origin during the summer 
of 1868, a meeting being held at the house of J. B. Steward, Oc- 
tober 28, seven persons being present. The Sunday-school was or- 
ganized May 23, 1869, and on June 7, 1869, the hall of Tiba Lam- 
born was used for the first time, the attendance having largely in- 
creased. In 1870 a two-story building was erected for church pur- 
poses at a cost of .f 1,100.90. This building was destoyed by fire iu 
1880, and in 1881 a new one was erected at a cost of |2,000 and 



826 CHESTER COUNTY 

<leilicatecl in February that jear. The pastors here have been as 
folhjws: Kev. J. B. Steward, May, 186(5, to March, 1873; and since 
then John D. Fox, T. L. Nelson, W. B. Chalfaut, S. H. Evans, Will- 
iam H. Aspril, L. T. Dugau, Reuben Johnson, James Sampson, 
John W. Rudolph, S. W. Smith, C. W. Langley, 1S8G-87; S. Tan- 
coast, 1888-89; J. G. Wilson, 1890-91; J. W. Bradley, 1892-94; ('. B. 
Johnston, 1895-97; R. E. Johnson, 1898. 

The African Methodist Church at Oxford was established in 
1881, in which year the present church buildino' was erected. Rev. 
Robert Murray was pastor in 1894. 

The Union American Methodist Episcojial Cliurch at Coates- 
ville was organized by Rev. William Hutchings, in 1864, Rev. Mr. 
Hutchings becoming its first pastor. During the same year a sub- 
stantial brick church edilice was erected at the corner of Sixth 
Avenue and Merchant Street, which is still in use, though it has 
undergone extensive improvements within recent years. At the 
present time the church membership is about 100, and Rev. L. A. 
Pui'nell is the jtastor. The <hurcli property is worth about |4,000. 

St. Luke's African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized 
in 1860, by Rev. Luke Smith, assisted by Rev. Jcdin C. Ramsey, Rev. 
L. P. Hood, and Rev. William Dorsey. It is located on South Frank- 
lin Street, West Chester. The first place of worship was a small 
one-story frame building on East Union Street, which was used 
until 1864, when the present location on South Franklin Street 
Avas purchased. The first church on this site was a one-story 
brick, 30x40 feet in size, and together with the site valued at 
.fl,500, and this church was used until 1881, Avhen the present edi- 
fice Avas erected. The ministers in charge since the organization 
have been as folloAvs: Revs. Luke Smith, William Hutchings, John 
Clements, B. T. Ruby, Perry Gibbs, Benjamin Jeffers, Isaac WMll- 
iams, Lewis Roberts, Asbury Smith, Lewis Jones, William II. 
Eley, John L. Hood, L. A. Purnell, R. S. Acctni, William H. Guy 
and Jacob F. Ramsey. The present membership of the church is 



AiVD ITS PEOPLE. 827 

about 200, and of the Simday-schoul about 170. The ihureh prop- 
ert.y is valtied at §G,000. 

Prior to 1SS2 the colored Methodists of CoatesviUe woi-shiixMl 
a.t the little church at "Buzzard's Glorv," near Atfilcn, in accorrl- 
auce with the forms of the African Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, 
but at this time they oroanized a church in Coatesville, erected a 
frame building, which Avas dedicated in 1883. Kev. ^yilliam 
Grimes was the first minister, and the membership was about 
thirty. The building is on Seventh Avenue and Merchant Street, 
East Coatesville. The church is now in a jjrosperous condition, 
with about 70 members, and there is also a flourishing Sunday 
school. 

The Union American Episcopal Church (colored) is located at 
Sixth Avenue and Merchant Street, Coatesville, the building hav- 
ing been dedicated in October, 1869. Rev. William Hutchings was 
the first pastor. The church has a membership of about 200. 

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized 
about 1833 at the residence of James Berry, who then lived at the 
lower end of West Market Street, West Chester. The corner-stone 
of a proposed church building was laid by Eev. Joseph Corr, of 
Philadelphia, but the building was never completed. Later the 
congregation erected a building, called Zion Church, in which tlie\ 
worshiped until ISGl, when they removed to the school-house at 
the corner of Barnard and Adams Streets, but soon aftei-ward they 
purchased the present site on East Miner Street, and in 1868 be- 
gan the erection of a new building, which lasted until 1880, Avhen 
it was enlarged to meet the necessities of a larger congregation, 
and thus enlarged it is still iu use. 

The pastors of this church since ISi.") have been as follows: 
Eevs. William II. Jones, John L. Armstrong, John Butler, Abram 
C. Crippen, Isaac B. Parker, Israel Scott, Bichard Barney, George 
Greenly, Peter Gardiner, Henry Davis, James Hollon, Kichard 
Barney, Stephen Smith, William U. Xorris, J. P. Campbell, John 



828 CHESTER COUXTY 

W. Stevenson, Johu R. V. Morgan, Jevemiali Young, Elislia Weaver, 
Edward Laws, Peter Gardiner, James Y. Pierce, John C. Coruisli, 
Henry J. Rhodes, Henry Davis, Isaiah S. Taylor, William R. Xf»r- 
ris, Amor ^Vilson, Leonard Patterson, L. C. Chambers, Lewis Hood, 
L. C. Chambers, John C. Brock, John B. Stansbuiy, A. A. Cromartie, 
Theodore Gould, and M. C. Brooks, from 1894 to the present time. 

In 1S9-1 a parsonage was erected at a cost of |2,100. The mem- 
bership of the church in 1897 was 193, and the membership of the 
Sunday-school 388. The church propei-ty is valued at about |10,- 
000. 

>St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Chnrcli, at Coatesville, 
located at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Merchant Street, was 
presented to the church society by Trinity Episcopal Church, an<l 
w^as moved in sections to its present site in 1883. The first minis- 
ter here was Rev. William Grimes, and the present minister is Rev. 
W. B. Peai'son. The church membership is twenty-two, and the 
Sunday-school scholars, about twenty-five. The property is valued 
at about .|5,000. 

Waynesburg Methodist Church was established about 1821, 
in which year the old church was erected, and a church building 
•R-as erected about the same time at Cambridtre. The present 
Waynesburg Church was erected in 1843, and w^as dedicated in a 
sermon by Rev. Matthew Sorin. Since 1830 the preachers have 
been as follows: 1831-32, George Woolley, Jacob Gruber; 1833, 
David Best, Richard W. Thomas; 1834, Thomas Miller, John Spear; 
1835-36, William Torbert, Allen John; 1837, -lohu Edwards, Henry 
Sutton; 1838, same and John A. Watson; 1839-40, Jonas Bissey, 
Thomas Sumption; 1841, .James Hand, William L. Gray; 1842, 
James B. Ayars, Peter J. Cox; 1844, James Hand, George D. 
Bowen; 1845, Richard M. Greenbank, Samuel Pancoast; -1840, 
Richard M. Greenbank, Henry B. Manger; 1847, Johu Edwards, 
John Walsh; 1848, John Edwards, Samuel R. Gillingham; 1840- 
50, Enos R. Williams, -John Cummins; 1851, Eliphalet Reed, Peter 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 829 

Hallowell; 1852, Joseph Carlisle, Abraham K. Freed, John T. 
Gracey; 1853, circuit divided, and a part called Wayuesburg-, Jo- 
seph Carlisle, A. Longacre; 1851, t^. G. Hare; 1855, S. G. Hai-c, 
Xeheuiiuli W. Reunnm; 185(5, William H. Burrell, Levi B. Hughes; 
1857, ^^•ill^alu II. Burrell; 1858, Johu F. Meredith, Charles ^^'. 
Avars; 1859, John F. Meredith; 18G0-G1, John J. Jones; lS(;2-(;::;, 
James Y. Ashton; then in regular order, E. I. D. Pepper, John Al- 
len, George Cummins, S. W. Kurtz, Johu J. Pearce, Andrew Cather, 
Jacob M. Hinson, George Heacock, George W. F. Graff Henry K. 
Calloway, J. i^. I.aue, H. T. Quigg, William P. Howell, S. W. Smith, 
N. D. MoComas, Josiah Bawden, John T. Gray, and William <2nig- 
ley Bennett, the present pastor, who came to the church in 18!)8. 
The church building, erected iu 18G9, has been improved, will seat 
about 500, and is worth, together with the other property belonging- 
to the church, .'?22,000. The membership is 380, and of the Sunday- 
school, including those of Cambridge, the White School and Poplar 
Grove School, about 250. 

St. Peter's Episcopal Church is iu the northeast corner of East 
Whiteland Township. The building was erected in 1744, and in 
1752 the minister was Kev. William Currie, who had previously 
been a lay reader for the congregation. The church was incorpo- 
rated in 178t), the Rev. Mr. CuiTie remaining rector until 178.'J, 
preaching, however, only by request, as he had not sun-endered his 
original vows, which required him to pray for Kiusi George. Kev. 
Slaytor Clay became rector in 1788, I'ernaining until his death, in 
1821. Fi'om about 1824 for three years the Eev. Samuel C. Brinkle 
was rector, followed by the Itevs. William H. TJees, Simon Wilmer, 
William Hilton, William Peck, William H. Woodward, William L. 
Suddalls, Thomas W. Winchester, who died in February, 18.5S: 
Samuel Hazlehurst, A. E. Tortat, W. K. Stockton, De Witt C. Loup, 
Thomas J. Taylor, and H. J. W. Allen, until the closng up of the 
church in 1894, since which time the vestry have preferred to ex- 
pend the proceeds of the endowment fund for general repairs in- 



830 CHESTER COUNTY 

stead of for the eniijloyrdent (»f a rertor. The property is worth 
about !?12,000. 

St. John's Episeoi)al Church io the timnshij) of New LoiKhui 
was organized about 1744. The rectors have been a.s foUows: 
]{evs. John Gordon, Israel Acrelius, John Abram Lideuius, Elisha 
Kijigs, George Handy, Jacob M. Douglass, George Kirk, from 1S2U 
to 1869; J. H. MacElroy, J. L. Heysinger, George Vail, William 
A. ^Vhite, who died June 1, 181)8; G. L. Bishop, Thomas Burrows, 
J. J. Creigh and Frank P. Clark, present pastor. The church mem- 
bership is now thirty-five as is also that of the Sundaj'-school, and 
the churih property is valued at f(>,000. 

St Paul's Episcopal Church, West Whiteland, was organized 
Februarj' 23, 1828, the church edifice being erected the same year 
and consecrated May 28, 1829. The rectors of this church have 
been as follows: Kev. Samuel C Brinkle, through whose efforts 
the members were gathered together; Revs. R. N. Morgan, Cyrus Tl. 
Jacobs, William Hilton, William Henry Rees, William IT. Wood- 
ward, William L. Suddards, H. Hastings Weld, Tliomas W. ^^■in- 
chester, Thomas L. Green, Samuel Hazlehurst, Joseph W. Cook, A. 
E. Tortat, Robert F. Innes, (1. Livingston Bishop, De Witt C. Loup, 
Thomas J. Taylor, and Henry J. W. Allen, who assumed charge of 
this church in 1882. The communicants number fifty, and the Sun- 
day-school 25. The church property is valued at $12,000. 

The Episcopalians have the following churches in Chester 
County as it is to-day: St. John's in West Cain, St. Peter's in East 
"S^'hiteland, St. John's in Penn, St. Mary's in Warwick, St. Andrew's 
in West Vincent, St. Peter's in Phcenixville, St. Mai'k's in Honey- 
brook, St. Paul's in W'est Whiteland, St. James' in Downingtown, 
Trinitj' at Coatesville, The Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli, 
and the Churc h of the Holy Trinity in West Chester. 

There were, of course. Episcopal churches in what is now Dela- 
ware Countj' before any of the above-named were established. It 
is claimed that St. Paul's at Chester and St. Martin's at ilarcus 



A.VD IT^ PEOPLE. 831 

Hook were built iu 1702. St. John's at Coucord was built iu 1722, 
and >St. David's Episcopal Church, which is about one and a half 
miles southw est of IJadnor Station on the Pennsylvania Eailroad, 
at the junction of NeAvtown Township, Delaware County, and East- 
town Township, Chester County, was established by a. colony of 
Welshmen about 1685. While but little is known as to the early his- 
tory of this church yet it appears clear that services were held 
from 1700 to 1704 at the house of William Davis, by 
Eev! Evan Evans, who preached in Welsh once a fort- 
night for four years. In 1714 John Chubb was formally 
appointed as missionary to this church at Oxford, and 
subscriptions had been raised for the building of a stone 
church. On May 9, 1715, the foundations of Radnor Episcopal 
Church were laid. After Mr. Chubb's death in December, 1715, 
Rev. Evan Evans was appointed missionary to Radnor and Oxford, 
remaining from^he summer of 1710 to 1718. The next rector was 
Rev. John Humphrey, who supplied the pulpit until the appoint- 
ment of Rev. Robert Weyraan, who began his duties here in De- 
cember, 1710, and remained until 1731. Rev. John Hughes was rec- 
tor from 1733 until 1737. Re^'. ^Villiam Currie, the last missionary 
to Radnor. During tJie Revolutionary War this church was closed 
to religious services, for the reason that Rev. Mr. Currie remained 
loyal to England. In 1783 Mr. Currie again took charge of the 
church and was succeeded in 1788 by Rev. Slaytor Clay, who was 
the first American minister of the church. The church was incor- 
porated in 1792. In 181S Rev. Samuel C. Briukle began preaching 
here once in each two weeks, continuing until Rev. Mr. Clay's 
death, when he became the regular pastor. Since then the pastors 
to this time have been as follows: Revs. Simon Wilmer, William 
Heniy Rees, William Peck, William W. Spear, Breed Batchelor, 
Thomas G. Allen, John A. Childs, Henry G. Brown, Richardson 
Graham, Thomas G. Clemson, William F. Halsey, and Rev. George 
A. Keller, the present rector, Avho assumed charge in 1883. 
49 



832 CHESTER COUNTY 

Various repairs were made to tlie old cbureli building, and in 
1830 a new vestrj- room was built, and in 1871 the present churcli 
was erected on and beyond the site of the former house. The pres- 
ent parsonage was built in 1841. About 189.5 the old church was 
restored and it is uow as it was of old. In the cemetery belonging 
to this church lies the body of General Antliony Wayne. 

St. John's Pequra Episcopal Church in the village of Compass- 
ville is one of the oldest churches of this denomination in Pennsyl- 
vania. The first buildiug here was erected in 1720. Kev. Kichard 
Backhouse conducted services here on the first Tuesday of each 
month for ten years, at the expiration of which time^ 
in 1739, Eev. John Blackhall became rector. Rev. Mr. 
Backhouse returned to this church in a short time after 
leaving it and remained until his death in 1750. In 1751 
Eev. George Craig began to ofiiciate here, being with the 
church at least eight Sundays each year, and was succeeded in 
1759 by Rev. Thomas Barton, who remained until 1776. During 
the Revolutionary War there was no regular rector, but in 1784 
Rev. J. Fred Illing, of the Lutheran Church, became rector, remain- 
ing until 1788. Rev. Elisha, Biggs was installed this year and re- 
mained until 1793, when came Rev. Levi Heath. Rev. Joseph 
Clarkson came in 1799 and remained until his death, in 1830. Eev. 
Richard Umstead Morgan became rector iu 1831, remaining three 
years. Eev. Edward Young Buchanan was rector from 1835 to 
1845; Eev. Henry Tullidge from 1846 to 1854; Eev. E. P. Wright 
from 1854 to 1856; Eev. George G. Hepburn from 1856 to 1860; 
Eev. Henry E. Smith from 1862 to 1872; Rev. Thomas Mee from 
1874 to 1875; Eev. Henry E. Tullidge from 1875 to 188 , and since 
then tlie rectors have been as follows: Eev. J. W. Geiger about 
one year, and Eev. S. K. Boyer, who has been rector about thirteen 
years. A new rectory was built in 1891 the value of tlie property 
is |6,000, the church membership 284, and the Sunday-school has 
about 150 members. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 833 

The present clmroh building was erected in 1830, a stone struc- 
ture 40x55 feet in size and a very imposing bouse. 

Tlie Churcb of tbe Good Samaritan was establisbed about 1848, 
at Paoli, Cbester County. From tbat time to 1877 services were 
held from time to time in the Paoli Inn, and for several years prior 
to 1877 the church and Sunday-school met in Masonic Hall. On 
October 31, 1876, the cornerstone of a church building, named the 
Church of the Good Samaritan, was laid by the Rt. Kev. William 
Bacon Stevens, bishop of the diocese, addresses being made by the 
bishop, by the Eev. Dr. Currie, of St. Luke'.s, Philadelphia; by the 
Eev. Dr. Frost, of Trinity Church, Wilmington, Delaware; by the 
Eev. Dr. Hay; by the Eev G. L. Bishop; by the Eev. Dr. Eumney, 
and the Eev. B. E. Phelps. The unfinished church edifice was oc- 
cupied for the first time for divine service on Sunday, July 15, 
1877, the Eev. G. L. Bishop, rector of St. Paul's, West Whitelaml, 
ta,king charge of the new enterprise at the request of the bishop 
and the desire of Edmund G. Dutille, by whom, with the assistance 
of a few friends, the church was built in memorv of Mrs. E. S. 
Dutille. 

The new building was presented to the bishop for consecration 
September 28, 1877, the semion being j^reached by the bishop. 
Numerous notable ministers of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
were present, the Holy Communion being celebrated by the bishop, 
assisted by the Eev. G. L. Bishop. Since 1880 the rectors have been 
as follows: Eev. M. J. Meigs, Eev. James C. Craven, Eev. Thomas 
J. Taylor, Eev. H. P. Hay, Eev. George A. Keller, Eev. Charles A. 
Eicksecker, Eev. G. Livingston Bishop, and Eev. Edward T. Mab- 
ley, who by request furnished the data for this brief sketch of the 
church. Since 1880 there has been built a large rectory, the inte- 
rior of the church has been improved, and a beautiful memorial 
window of cathedral glass has been put in. The present value of 
the property is about .$5,000, the membership of the church is twen- 
ty-nine families, and of the Sunday-school sixty-five scholars. 



834 CHESTER COUNTY 

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, of West Chester, was organ- 
ized November 23, 1835, Rev. George W. Cole being chosen rector. 
The church was incorporated April 28, 1838, and the church edi- 
fice was erected on the north side of Gay Street. This Gay Street 
edifice was used for many years as a chapel and Sunday-school 
after it ceased to be used as a church, which was about 186S. The 
cornerstone of the present church building was laid July 3, 18GS, 
by Kev. Heniy J. Morton, the building standing at the northwest 
corner of South High and Union Streets. The property here is 
valued at .f 70,000, and consists of the church, parish house, rectory 
and Sunday-school. The rectors of this church have been Revs. 
Edward W. Willbank, Richard Newton, Rt. Rev. G. T. Bedell, John 
B. Clemson, Lewis P. Balch, William Newton, John Bolton, who 
came to West Chester in 1803, and remained rector until January 
1, 1891, when he resigned, and was succeeded by the Rev. G. 
Heathcote Hills. Rev. Mr. Bolton secured the erection of the fine 
buildings referred to above, and died in Philadelphia May 18, 1898. 
He was rector emeritus from the time of his resignation until his 
death. Rev. Mr. Hills, on May IS, 1898, resigned as rector, the 
resignation to take effect October 1, 1898. The membership of this 
church at the present time is about 500, and of the Sunday-school, 
275. The parochial societies are the Vested Choir, Brotherhood 
of St. Andrew, ^^'oman^s Auxiliary, Girls" Friendly Society, 
Mothers' Meeting, Sewing School, Working Guild, St. Ursula's 
Guild, Altar Society, and Junior Auxiliary. 

St Peter's Episcopal Church, ot Pha-uixville, was organized 
in 1838, the present church edifice being erected in 1810 on land 
given by Reeves, Buck & Co. The cornerstone was laid by Rt. Rev. 
Bishop Onderdouk, D. D., April 25, 1810, the building being com- 
pleted in December, 1852, when it was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Bishop 
Alonzo Potter, D. D., LL. D. The rectors of this church have been 
as follows: Revs. Oliver C. ShaAV, Marmaduke Hirst, I. P. Nash, 
Samuel Durburrow, Thomas W. Winchester, W. R. Stockton, who 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 835 

remained until 1894, and was succeeded by the present rector, Eev. 
Edgar Campbell. Improvements have recently been made to the 
property to the extent of |1,S00, and the church property is worth 
about 120,000. The communicants number 130, and the member- 
ship of the Ir^unday-school is 125. 

St. James' Episco])al ("luircli, Downingtown, was organized in 
1842 through the instrumentality of Rev. G. T. Bedell, services be- 
ing held for some time at- the house of Dr. Andrew Wills. After- 
ward they were held in the Masonic Hall, which was later pur- 
chased and converted into a chapel. The cornerstone of the pres- 
ent church building was laid June 20, 184.3, and the church was 
dedicated by Bishop Onderdonk, October 26, the same year. The 
name St. James' was given to it for the reason that St. James' 
Church in Philadelphia offered |400 per year for two years toward 
the support of a resident minister. Kev. William A. White, of 
Boston was the first rector, beginning here in November, 1843, re- 
maining until 1845. He has been followed by Revs. Samuel Hazle- 
hurst, II. Hastings Weld, William P. Ray T. Browne Morrison 
John B. Henry, Benjamin A. Rogers, Jesse Y. Burk. William 
White Montgomery, Robert F. Innes, W. G. Ware, H. Allen Grif- 
fith, John C. Fair, whose rectorship came to a close June 1, 1897. 
The church membership at present is 125, and of the Sunday- 
school, 140, and the value of the church property is now |15,000. 

During the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Innes, which lasted from 
1871 to 1880, a parish building was erected for Sunday-school and 
other purposes, and an addition was made to the rectory. The 
seating capacity of the church is 250. 

The Church of the Trinity, at Coatesville, was organized in 
1868, though Episcopal services had been held there as early as 
1859. In 1871 a lot on Main Street was presented to the congre- 
gation by Benjamin Miller, and on it a spacious chapel was erected. 
Rev. George G. Field was the first rector, and has been followed 
by the following: Rev. Thomas T. Garland, in 1894; and Rev. 



836 CHESTER COUNTY 

Arthur Wilson Wilde, in 189S; Eev. Mr. Field being made rector 
emeritus in 1894, and still being in that relation. A handsome 
stone chiirch has recently been erected, the property is worth about 
1-12,000; the membership is 145, and that of the Sunday-school 
about 100. 

St. Mary's Episcopal Church, at Warwick, was founded about 
1804, by Kev. Levi Bull, D. D., who remained rector thereof for 
about forty years. The house of worship was built in 1806, and re- 
built and enlarged in 1843. It was repaired in 1880 by using the 
sum of f 1,000 left for that purpose by Eev. John Starrett in his 
will. 

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, at Honeybrook, was organized 
in 1835. The rectors during recent years have been Rev. Francis 
E. Arnold, during whose rectorship three acres were added to the 
cemetery; Rev. Wiufield S. Baer, lay reader for a year, 1889, dur- 
ing which time a rectory was built worth |2,S00 and labor; Rev. 
L. R. F. Davis, Rev. Edward F. Mabley and Rev. John Henry Bur- 
ton. In 1891 the church Avas greatly improved inside and stained 
windows put in. The property is now valued at |8,000, and the 
endoAvment fund is #203. The baptized membei's number 100, and 
the communicants 53. The Sunday-school has a membership of 50. 

St. Mary's Episcopal Church, since 1880, has had the same rec- 
tors as St, Mark's. The property is now valued at |6,000, and the 
endowment fund is at present |2,450. The number of baptized 
members is 85, and the communicants number 25. The Sunday- 
school has a membership of 70. In 1880 extensive repairs were 
made to the church, both inside and outside; in 1888 a Avail A\'as 
built about the cemetery and a shed built; and in 1892 the old 
public school-house was I'epaired for use as a rectory. 

The Church of the Advent Avas chartered during the winter of 
1881-82, and the coi'uerstone of the church building was laid with 
impressive ceremonies May 17, 1885, by Rt. Rev. William Bacon 
Stevens, bishop of the diocese of Philadelphia. In 1880 Iiev. John 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 837 

Long began holding services here as a missionary, remaining two 
years, and was succeeded by Kev. J. H. McElroy, and he by the 
Rev. J. n. Ileysinger. During the missionary services of these 
three clergymen funds were collected for the pui'chase of a lot on 
Broad Street, upon which the present neat Gothic church edifice 
was erected. Within one year after 1he laying of the cornerstone 
as above narrated, the building was completed, and it was con- 
secrated according to the established form May 14, 1886, by the 
Et. Eev. William Bacon Stevens. At that time tlie rector in charge 
was Rev. G. Livingston Bishop. In the address of. Bishop Stevens 
he alluded to the beautiful memorial window of Bayard Taylor, 
the funds for which were collected by Mrs. William J. Baird, of 
New York City, and contributed to by such eminent men as the 
A'ery Rev. Deau Farrar, George W. Childs, J. G. Whittier, Bishop 
Brooks, George W. Curtis, James Russell Lowell, O. W. Holmes, 
Mrs. James Fields, Hon. G. H. Boker, Hon. S. L. Clemens, Will 
Carleton, Mrs. M. Mapes Dodge, and others, literary friends of Bay- 
ard Taylor. Following Rev. G. L. Bishop came Rev. Thomas Bur- 
rows, in 1888; Rev. Thomas Dickinson, Rev. Guy L. Wallis, in 1895; 
Rev. William Wirt Mills, 189(;, and the present rector, Eev. Stan- 
ley F. W. Symonds, in 1897. In 1895 a new high altar was added. 
It is finished in white and gold, is of wood, and has all the proper 
appointments. The number of communicants is now 16, and the 
number of the baptized communicants 27. 

The present Episcopal Mission, in Parkesburg, was established 
in 1890 as the successor of a similar mission started in 1870, under 
the name of Grace Mission, which was continued until the death 
of Rev. Henry E. Smith, about 1872. The present mission, named 
Ascension, was started by Rev. Mr. Boyer, present rector of St. 
John's Church, at Compassville. In 1,892 it became a mission of 
Trinity Church, at Coatesville, and up to January 1, 1898, it was 
served by various ministers, and since then up to June 1, 1898, by 
Eev. Mr. Mabley, of the Church of the Good Samaritan. It is now 



838 CHESTER COUNTY 

iu charge of the Kev. Mr. Bullitt, The membership is about 35, and 
of the Sunday-school 15. It is held iu a routed buildiug ou 
Maiu Street, near Gay. A lot for the ei*ection of a new church 
building was purchased in 1897 on Gay Street, near Highland 
Avenue. 

The Church of the Sure Foundation, Rev. Sydney Neville Us- 
sher, B. D., rector, is an old-f«shioued Evangelical Episcopal 
Church. It is located on Union Street, between South High and 
South Church Streets, West Chester. As stated by the Assistant 
Bishop of Kentucky, Rev. George David Cummins, D. D., "It is the 
old and true Protestant Episcopal Church of the days immediately 
succeeding the American Revolution.'' 

The founder of the present parish was the scholarly and dis- 
tinguished divine and hymnologist, Rev. William Newton, D. D., a 
brother of the celebrated Rev. Richard Newton, D. D., and uncle of 
Rev. Heber Newton, of NeAv York. The Rev. Di-. William Newton, 
D. D., was for many years rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, 
of West Chester, and of the Church of the Nativity, Philadelphia. 

The Church of the Sure Foundation was the gift of Miss Pal- 
mera C. Evans, and her sister, Mrs. Sarah E. Newton. It was or- 
ganized April 15, 1884, with seventeen charter members, and was 
incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania. The first service wa» 
held May 13, ISSl. The Sunday-school was organized and held its 
first meeting June 10, 1881, with but four scholars. Dr. Newton 
labored long and faithfully in spite of failing health and eyesight. 
He was the autlior and publisher of "Lectures on the Book of 
Daniel," "The Morning Star," "Gleanings froiii a Busy Life," and 
a number of well-known hymns. Dr. Newton died February IG, 
1893, and his devoted wife, Sarah Evans Newton, died February 17, 
1897. A remarkable coincidence as to date, both being intei-red 
in Oakland Cemetery, February 20, 1893 and 1897, respectively. 

The Church of the Sure Foundation has had but two rectors, 
the successor to the Rev. AYilliam Newton, D. D., being the Rev. 
Sydney Neville Ussher, B. D., under whose administration the 



A^'D ITS PEOPLE. 839 

church has greatly prospered. The present rector was called to 
this parish Jime 29, 1S93, having at the time five calls from as 
many other parishes; but he decided to accept the Church of the 
Sure Foundation be<'ause, though the weakest of all, it was ap- 
parently the most spiritual. 

The Kev. Mr. Ussher, in ISOS, celebrated his fifth anniversary. 
Since his advent the parish, which is his first charge, has become 
for the first time self-sustaining. Its membershi]) has increased 
from 30 to 123, and the membership of the Sunday-school from 
20 to 175. The income has increased from fl50 to -11,500 per- 
annum. The church building, both the main auditorium and the 
Sunday-school room, have been remodeled and enlarged. The 
church building, property and grounds are valued at $10,000. 

The present rector, Eev. Sydney Neville Ussher, B. D., is the 
eldest son of the l^ight Rev. B. B. Ussher, M. D., Bishop of the Ke- 
foi'med EpiscoiJal Church in tlie Dominion of Canada and Island 
of Newfoundland, and was born in the city of Aurora, Illinois, 
November 27, IStiS, where his father was licensed as a candidate 
for orders under Bishop Whitehouse. His parents early removed 
to Canada, residing in Toronto and Montreal. In the latter city Mr. 
Ussher received his education in the public schools, graduating 
with high honors one of the senior four of the Boys' High School. 
He became Associate in Arts at Magill University, after which he 
engaged for six years in mercantile pursuits, in which he rose step 
by step. IJeraoving with his parents to Kansas City, success was 
his and he was tinallj' made a traveling salesman for the lax-gest 
wholesale dry goods house outside of Chicago, west of the Missis- 
sippi River, Messrs. Burnham, Hanna, Munger & Co., of Kansas 
City. A consecrated business life was his ideal, but he was divine- 
ly called to the ministry, without any previous love for the ])rofes- 
sion; and the way opening a four years' course of study was en- 
tered upon in the Divinity School, West Philadelphia. For three 
years from June to September, Mr. Ussher spent his vacations a;i 
summer clerk in the Central National Bank, Philadelphia. 



S40 CHESTER COUNTY 

From the seminai*y Mr. Ussher was called to the West Chester 
Church, and has resided there for the past five years, an honored 
and respected citizen, beloved by his parish. In addition to his 
parochial work he is pursuing his studies, a post-graduate in the 
University of Pennsylvania. 

The Kev. Sydney Neville Ussher, B. D., is a direct descendant 
of a long line of distinguished ancestors on both his father's and 
mother's side, his ancestry being one of the few tracing their 
genealogy back without a break for six hundred years. The family 
name was originally Neville. The Nevilles (vide Burke's Extinct 
Peerage, and W. Ball Wright, M. A., "Genealogical Memoirs of the 
Ussher Families in Ireland," page E), were descended from Gil- 
bert de Neville, Admiral of William the Conqueror's fleet, in 1000, 
and the Nevilles of Baby Castle, Yorkshire, marked this by a galley 
in their arms. The above works, to which the writer has had ac- 
cess, show that Eev. Mr. Ussher's family- is descended from Richard 
Neville, the great Earl of Warwick, known in history as the "King 
Maker," one of whose descendants, for political reasons, took the 
name of the oifice which he bore, viz: Ussher of the Black Rod, 
thus retaining his influential and lucrative position when the name 
of Neville had become unpopular and the King Maker's influence 
had waned. To distinguish the family name from the office, the 
second letter, "S," was added manj- years ago. 

The first recorded as bearing the name in Ireland was Arlantor 
or Arland Uscher, or Ussher, who appears to have been settled in 
Dublin as a leading merchant in and before 1439, and who was 
bailiff of that city in 1101, mayor in 1409, and died in 1479. A 
tradition as old as Archbishop James Ussher's time states that 
Arland Ussher was descended from a John Nevil of the Northern 
Nevils, who accompanied Prince John, in 1185, to Ireland as usher 
of the court, and adopted the surname of Usher or Ussher from his 
oifice. 
Many of Mr. Ussher's ancestors have distinguished themselves in 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 841 

Church, Law, and Court, as well as Army and Navy. His great- 
great-grandfather was Adam Ussher, archdeacon of Clonfert and 
rector of the parish of Clontarf near Dublin. This parish was held 
in the family from father to son for over 150 years. 

Arland Ussher, founder of the Ussher family in Ireland, above 
mentioned, was the father of Thomas Ussher, whose eldest daughter 
was wife to John Garvey, Archbishop of Armagh, Thomas Ussher, 
his son, was father of Henrj- Ussher, Archdeacon of Dublin, who 
procured the charter and was made first Fellow of Ti'inity College, 
Dublin, by Queen Elizabeth. His youngest son, Robert Ussher, 
was provost of Trinity College and Bishop of Kildare. 

Henry Ussher, on account of his connection with Trinity Col- 
lege, was made archbishop of Armagh, in 1613. James Ussher, a 
celebrated Homan Catholic priest in Kensington, died in 1771, 
author of "Clio, an Essay on Taste," was a famous schoolmaster 
and partner with John Walker, author of the Pronouncing Diction- 
ary. 

Arland Ussher, third of the name, was father of James 
Ussher, according to records in Trinity College, Dublin, Trinity's 
first student, Ireland's greatest scholar, antiquary, and divine, 
the most wonderful genius in the Episcopal Church since the 
Eeformation, equally holy, humble, and innocent, as he was of 
commanding intellect and almost miraculous attainments. He 
was successively Professor of Divinity in Dublin University, Bishop 
of Meath, and Archbishop of Armagh. Appointed by Charles I. 
to hold the Bishopric of Carlisle, Author of Ussher's Chronology, 
the basis of all present chronologies, he lies buried in Henry 
VII. chapel in Westminster Abbey. 

Christopher Ussher, son of the first Arland, who married into 
the great feudal family of Fitzwilliams, now represented by 
Earl Fitzwilliams and by the Earl of Pembroke, was father of 
John Ussher, alderman and collector of customs, Dublin. In his 
house, Bridgefoot, Dublin, was printed, at his expense, the first 
book in the Irish language. His son, Sir William Ussher, married 



§42 CHESTER COUNTY 

the daughter of Archbishop Loftus and was clerk of Privy Council 
from 1593 to the fall of Charles I. In his house and at his ex- 
pense was printed the first version of the Irish New Testament. 
His daughter, Mary Ussher, married Henry Colley of Castle Carbery, 
whose son, Richard Colley, assumed the name of Wesley, and 
was created Baron Mornington. His son. Garret, Earl of Morning- 
ton, married Anne, daughter of Arthur, Lord Dunganuon, and 
was father of Eichard, Marquis Wellesley; William, Baron Mary- 
borough, the Earl of Mornington; Arthur Wellesley, the great 
Duke of Wellington, called the "Iron Duke;" and Very Rev. Gerakl 
Valerian Wellesley, D. D., Dean of Windsor. 

Mr. Ussher's great-great-grandfather, Archdeacon Ussher, rec- 
tor of Cloutarf, previously mentioned, was father of Rev. John Uss- 
her, afterward first Astronomer Royal of Ireland, and the last of the 
family to hold the incumbency. 8ir William Ussher, mentioned 
above, was father of Rev. Henry Ussher, D. D., Astronomer Royal of 
Ireland, and held the Andrews Professorship of Astronomy in 
Trinity College. His sons were Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Ussher, 
K. C. B., K. C. II., wlio entered the Royal Navy January 27, 1791, 
as midshipman. His naval career and exploits are detailed in 
O'Byrne's Naval Biographical Dictionary, 1849. On the evening 
of April 28, 1811, he embarked tlie first Napoleon on H. M. S. 
Undaunted, and landed him at 8 p. m., April 30, at Porto Ferajo, 
in Elba. King William the IV. was a warm friend of Sir Tiiomas 
Ussher, having served under him as a. midshipman. He died 
naval commander-in-chief, at Cork, Ireland, 18G2, and lies buried 
in one of the vaults of Monkstown Church, County Dublin. 

Another interesting fact is that '"three hundred years ago two 
brothers of name of Ussher were driven from Ireland during one 
of the troubles, and settled in the neighborhood of Melrcse iu 
Scotland, wliere they acquired considerable lands, and among 
them the property of Huntley-burn, one of the most celebrated 
siJots on the borders." "The grandfather of the present Thomas 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 843 

Ussher of Edinburgh, for seventeen vears secretary of the Boi"- 
ders' County Association for the Advancement of Education, out 
of which arose the celebration of tlie Centenary of Sir Walter 
Scott, sold to Sir Walter Scott the chief part of the estate of 
Abbotsford (vide Lockhart's Life of AYalter Scott)." By un- 
broken tradition this branch claims kinship with Archbishop 
Ussher, and the liev. W. Neville Ussher, cousin of the above- 
named Thomas Ussher, is a canon of the Cathedral in Edinburgh. 

On his mother's side the Kev. Sydney N. Ussher's family is 
even more interesting, leading back on the male side to tlie 
famous Thomas Carter, who took so active a part in the Irish 
Revolution, ending with the Battle of the Boyne, 1G90. In the 
family tree appear the Countess of Roscommon, widow of Weut- 
worth Dillon, the poet, who was publicly buried in Westminster 
Abbey; Dr. Philip Twysden, bishop of Raphoe and son of Sir 
William Twysden, baronet of Royden Hall, Kent; George Bussey, 
fourth Earl of Jersey, first cousin to Anna Maria Carter, Mr. 
Ussher's great-grandmother, whose eldest son was George, fifth 
Earl of Jersey, and whose daughters became Ladies William Rus- 
sell, Ann Lambton, Sarah Bailey, Lady Ponsonby, Lady Hen- 
rietta, who married the Bishop of Oxford, and Lady Auglesea, 
wife of the Marquis Wellesley, the hero of Waterloo, and for her 
second husband the Duke of Argyle, which Duchess of Argyle 
was cousin germaiu to Mrs. Skiffington Thompson, Mrs. Ussher's 
paternal grandmother. 

The Right Honorable Thomas Carter's second daughter, 
Susan, married Thomas Carter of Duleek Park and Castle, County 
Louth, and her granddaughter, Elizabeth, became Marchioness of 
Thomond by entering the family of William O'Bryen, decendant 
from Brien Boroimbe, King of Ireland, and whose line was con- 
tinued by the King of Munster and of Thomond, to the reign of 
Henry VIIL, King of England (vide Sharpe's Peerage). On the 
female side Mrs. Ussher's grandmother was Elizabeth Margaret, 



844 CHESTER COUNTY 

eldest daughter of the Eev. Joshua D'Arcy, TJector of Laca, 
County Kildare. The D'Arcy family came to Ireland, settlinji- in 
Flatten, County Meath, in the Fourteenth century. In a book 
written by the present Duke of Leinster, when Marquis of Kil- 
dare, called "Maynooth Castle," page 5, we read: "Sir John D'Arcy, 
Lord Justice of Ireland, married the Countess Johanna de Burgh, 
daughter to the lied Earl of Ulster, and sister to Ellen, wife of 
Eobert Bruce, King of Scotland. They had a son, William, born 
at Maynooth, in 1330, from whom the present family of D'Arcy 
are lineally descended and are represented by George James 
Norman D'Arcy of Hyde Park, County Westmeath (vide Burke's 
London Gentry, also Walford's County Families)," the worthy 
head of both English and Irish families and representatives of 
twenty-eight peerages of Great Britain. 

It is quite impossible in this sketch to give a full history of a 
family dating back to tJieir ancient seat in Arques, in Normandy, 
when they came to England withWilliam the Conqueror, into whose 
family they had previously married, then settled in Lincolnshire 
and given in extenso in Burke's Extinct Peerages. 

The ancestry of Mr. Ussher's grandmother, on his father's 
side, Henrietta Boileau, can be traced back without a break for 
more than 600 years. The present Baron Boileau de Castleneau 
being the seventeeutli in descent from Etienne Boileau, appointed 
by Louis IX., in the year 1255, Grand Provost of Paris, at that 
period the highest office of state. Another interesting fact is that 
"Eichard Ussher of Cappagh, with Elizabeth Ussher, his mother, 
and his wife, Mjirtha, and all his sisters, joined the Society of 
Friends, who carried on an intense religious movement in the 
South of Ireland, the church being then in a very dead state. 
Three editions of memoirs of Elizabeth Ussher the elder, and also 
letters of Elizabeth, Lucy, Judith, and Susanna Ussher of the 
Society of Friends, were published in 1812, 1815, in Dublin, and 
the third, 1845, in London, by J. Jones, South Great Georges 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 845 

Street, Dublin. Richard Usslier, who was chief magistrate of 
County Waterford, though he did not conform to the Society of 
Friends, imbibed their conscientious objections to taking or ad- 
ministering oaths, and accordingly ceased to act as a magistrate." 
He died at Cappagh, M. 2, 25, 1854. 

The Rev. Sydnej' N. Ussher is a facile and forceful writer, and 
has earned the reputationj of being an eloquent speaker. His 
alma mater recently conferred upon him the degree of bachelor 
of divinity, in recogniti()n of his scholarly attainments. Mr. Us- 
sher has four brothers and one sister, his second brother. Rev. 
Clarence D. Ussher, M. D., having just been appointed professor 
in Euphrates College, Harpoot, Turkey, in Asia, under the A. B. 
C. F. M., whither he has gone as medical missionary. 

Zion Lutheran Church was establshed about 1770, its church 
building being begun in 1771 and completed in 1774. It was used 
as a hospital while Washington's forces were at Chester Springs. 
The church was incorporated September 30, 1789, under the name 
of "The German Lutheran congregation, worshiping at the 
church called Zion, in Pikeland Township." While this church 
is in Pikeland TownshiiJ, the line of the propertj- joins the Vin- 
cent Township line. Previous to the erection of the church 
building the German Lutherans and the Reformed Calvinists 
jointly obtained about ten aci*es of ground, and each society had 
its own minister, the first Lutheran minister being Rev. Henry 
Muhlenberg, Sr., of Philadelphia. When the question arose as 
to the erection of a new house the members could not agree upon 
a location, some wanting it nearer French Creek, but those who 
would not agree to this satisfied the others for their share. Those 
who desired it uearer French Creek subsequently erected St. 
Peter's Church. The Reformed members also erected a new 
church. Their present building, Avhich was then erected, front- 
ing on the Schuylkill Road, composed of red sandstone, about 
two miles from the French Creek bridge and a half mile from 



846 CHESTER COUNTY 

the general pike. The site commands a view of a considerable 
portion of Berks and Montgomery Counties. 

In 1787 this church and St. Peter's jointly purchased a place 
for the minister to reside at in their midst, a lot containing fifty 
acres, a mile above Zion Church. For some time before these two 
churches were erected the preacher was Ludwik Voigt, and after 
Lis death the IJev. Mr. Revenach preached a short time, and was 
followed by Uev. Frederick Jasinsky, who preached for both 
churches and was very much liked. During his life he occupied 
the parsonage, and a new stone house and barn were erected by 
the congregations. Next came Eevs. Frederick Geisenheimer, 
father and son, and Jacob Wampole, and during the time of the 
Geisenheimers preaching in English in the afternoon in both 
churches was admitted. In 183G Eev. Mr. Kuthrauff .became the 
preacher, having possession of the jiarsonage; but in 1842 he was 
dismissed by the Vincent Consistory and ordered to leave the par- 
sonage removing then near to Lionville and retaining the St. 
Peter's and Lionville congregations and also St. Matthew's on 
the Conestoga Pike, which was a new church a mile above that 
at what was formerly Ludwig's Tavern. Next came Eev. Joseph 
Miller, and still later Eev. Mr. Weldon, who became the regular 
preacher at Zion's and St. Paul's, using the German language in 
the morning and English in the afternoon. Eev. Mr. Weldon pur- 
chased the parsonage. 

St. Peter's Church originated in the manner related in the 
sketch of Zion Lutheran Church. A lot was purchased contain- 
ing about one and a half acres of ground for a church and ceme- 
tery, deeded to the church May IG, 1771. The church was 
completed and consecrated in November, 1772, Eev. Henry Muhl- 
enberg, the pioneer of Lutheranism in this vicinity, being invited 
by tlie pastor, Ludwig, to preach on the occasion. Services began 
on Sunday, November 8, 1772, and continued until the evening 
of the following Tuesday. During this time Mr. Muhlenberg 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. S47 

spoke iu Germau, and IJev. Mr. (Toeransson, the Swedish minister, 
in English. Tlie first buikling, built of logs, was used by both 
congregations, Zion and St. Peter's, until 1811, when it was de- 
termined to build a new one, the cornerstone of which was laid 
August 13, and the completed edifice, which cost .f2,836.45|, was 
dedicated under the name of St. Peter's Church, October 1, 1812. 
There was put into it a pipe organ, and the building was used 
on alternate Sundays by the Lutheran and Reformed congrega- 
tions until January 20, 1835, when it was destroyed by fire. The 
cornerstone of a new edifice was laid April 24, 1835, and this 
building was dedicated April 12, 1830. By this time the demand 
for preaching in English had become so strong that it took the place 
of German altogether. When the East Pennsylvania Synod was 
formed, this church united therewith, and thereupon some of the 
members, dissatisfied because the English language prevailed, 
withdrew and formed a separate church, erecting a new church 
edifice at the opposite end of the cemetery. The Sunday-school 
was organized September 28, 1828. 

The pastors here have been as follows: From 1811 to 1815, 
J^udwig Voigt, J. F. Weinland, Frederick Plitt, J. Rowenauch, 
Frederick W. Jasinsky; 1815-19, F. W. Geisenheimer, Sr., sei'ving 
with his son of the same name, 1819-23; Jacob Wampole, 1827-36; 
Frederick Ruthrauff, 1836-43; John McCi-on, 1843-47; Daniel Mil- 
ler, 1847-49; Peter Raby, 1849-58; Samuel Aughey, 1858-59; Cor- 
nelius Reimensnyder, 1859-63; X. H. Cornell, 1863-74; S. S. Palmer, 
1874-75; J. F. Hartman, 1876-80; J. R. Dimm, 1880-82; J. A. Hack- 
enberg, 1882-92; Rev. J. W. Henderson, 1892-98. 

The cornerstone of the present church building was laid 
August 27, 1889, and the church was dedicated free from debt 
May 7, 1890, having cost about |7,000. 

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Chui'ch, located in Pikeland 
Township, was established by members of St. Peter's Church, the 
history of which is given briefly above. From twelve to fifteen 
50 



848 • CHESTER COUNTY 

members of St. Peter's Chnreh withdrew therefrom and erected 
a new building for themselves, about the year 1840, on act'ouut 
of the introduction of certain new measures into the old church. Of 
this new church the cornerstone was laid May, 1843, the services 
on the occasion being in both German and English. The reasons 
given for the formation of this new church were substantially 
that the members forming it had been deprived of their rights 
and privileges of membership in the old church by the pastor 
and vestry therof, because they ailhered steadfastly to the doc- 
trines of the Evangelical Church, as thej' had been taught them 
by their fathers and former pastors. And they solemnly en- 
joined and made it incumbent on their successors forever to main- 
tain the doctrines and usages of the Evangelical Lutheran Church 
as set forth in the Augsburg Confession of Faith, to preserve pure 
doctrine and undefiled religion against all influences and changes 
of the times and manners of the world; and that so long as the 
Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Pennsylvania shall continue in its 
atlherence to the Augsburg Confession and remain an independent 
body as then constituted, "that you aud your pastors be and ever 
remain in connection therewith." 

The church edifice was dedicated October 4, 1843. The pas- 
tors have been as follows: 1842-50, C. F. Weldon; 1850-54, J. C. 
Miller; 1855-64, William Weaver; 1864-74, H. S. Miller; 1875, B. 
C. Snyder. 

The two Liitheran Churches constituting the Lionville charge 
are St. Matthew's and St Paul's, and the direct outgrowth of 
Zion's and St. Peter's congregations. St. Matthew's Church, lo- 
cated in Upper Uwchlan Township, was organized in 1833, by 
Rev. Jacob Wampole. A piece of ground was purchased on the 
Conestoga Pike for $50, upon which a two-story stone church, 
35x45 feet in size, with galleries on three sides, was erected at 
a cost of $1,700. This church became a pai't of Zion's charge. 
Eev. Mr. Wampole remained as pastor until 1836, when he was 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 849 

succeeded by Eev. Frederick Rnthrauff, during whose pastorate 
Zion's Church withdrew, on account of what were known as "new 
measures" in church work. 

At the time of this division Kev. Mr. Rutlirauff became pas- 
tor of three churches, St. Peter's, St. Matthew's and St. Paul's, 
which formed the Pikeland cliarge, and lie remained in this field 
until 1843, and on December 17, followinc;, he was succeeded by 
Eev. John McCron, D. D., who remained until 1847, when he and 
Kev. Daniel Miller exchanged pastorates, the latter being suc- 
ceeded by Eev. Peter Eaby, September 27, 1819. Eev. Mr. Eaby 
remained until 1858, and was followed by Eev. Samuel Aughey, 
who remained until 1861, when he was succeeded by Eev. Chris- 
tian D. Ulery, who soon aftenvard enlisted in the Union army, 
and died from pneumonia November 7, 1862. In 1863 Eev. S. Sent- 
man became pastor, remaining until 1870, and Eev. J. E. Shoffner 
became pastor in 1871. In 1876 he was succeeded by Eev. H. S. 
Cook, who remained until 1882. In this year Eev. W. F. Eentz 
became pastor and remained until 1888, when he was succeeded 
by Eev. M. S. Cresman, who remained until December 31, 1894. 
The present pastor, Eev. Frederick Klinefelter, assumed charge 
of the church February 1, 1895. The membership of St. Paul's 
Church is now 112, and tliat of St. Matthew's 160. The value of 
the former is |9,000, and of the latter |8,000. 

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Phoenixville, was or. 
ganized in 1860, but there appears to be little definite knowledge as 
to the pastor or people. The first pastor who was called, that kept 
a record, was Eev. Henry Seiple Miller, he being called to Zion's 
and new St. Peter's in Chester County. The same year, while 
residing in Phcenixville, he gathered together about half a dozen' 
Lutherans, and they worshipped in the Mennonite Meeting-house. 
Tavo years later he relinquished St. Peter's, September 29, he re- 
linquished Zion's, and two years later, in November, he also re- 
linquished St. Peter's, confining his labors to Phoenixville. The 



850 CHESTER COUNTY 

first church edifice was erected on < 'hurch Street, between Jaclv- 
son and Starr Streets, in 1872-73, the cornerstone being laid in 
July, 1S72, and the new building being consecrated July 20, 1873, 
by Drs. Greenwald and Spaetli, and Eev. J. Xeff. 

The pastors of this church have been as follows: Rev. Henry 
S. Miller, 1864-75; Eev. F. C. C. Kaehler, 1875-82; Eev. E. H. Ger- 
hai-t, 1882-88; Eev. S. B. Stupp, 1888-89; Eev. K. L. Walters, 
1889-93, and Eev. N. E. Miller, 1893-98. 

In 1895 the congregation, feeling the need of a new building, 
decided to erect a new edifice on a lot more pleasantly situated, 
the site selected being on the corner of Jackson and Church 
Streets. A spacious two-story edifice was erected, the corner- 
stone being laid .June 1, 1896, and the church consecrated June 
20, 1897. This building is of beautiful blue stone, with a seating 
capacity^ of 400. This neAv edifice is one of the most imposing 
and beautiful in the Schuylkill Valley, and the church property 
is worth 140,000. The present membership is 200, and the Sunday- 
school has 225 children enrolled. Luther League has 75 members, 
the Mite Society 80 and the Ladies' Aid Society 60. 

St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Lionville was organized Febru- 
ary 9, 1838, the land on which the building Avas afterward erected 
being donated by Peter Stitely, and being situated near the "White 
School-house." The building erected here was of stone, one story 
high, 38x45 feet in size, and cost |1,483. The building was dedi- 
cated November 6 and 7, 1838. The original membership of this 
church was sixteen, from St. Peter's and St. Matthew's Churches, 
and the church became a part of Zion's charge. In 1880 the church 
building was remodeled at a cost of |2,300, and it was re-dedicated 
January 2, 1881. The Lionville pastorate has two churches, tlie 
ministers having been the same in each. 

The Centennial Lutheran Church of Kimberton Avas orgauized 
in 1870 by Eev. J. F. Hartman. The church purchased a Quaker 
meeting-house and fitted it up for a place of Avorship, dedicating it 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 851 

in 1877, and during the suminer of 188-1: the building was frescoed 
and otherwise improA'ed. Since its organization this church has 
been connected with St. Peter's, forming the Pikeland charge. 
Rev. J. A. Hackenberg resigned this charge April 1, 1807, and 
Rev. J. ^Y. Henderson became pastor August 20, 1897. 

The Central Lutheran Church of Phopuixville was organized 
December 5, 1875, by Rev. S. S. Palmer, with eleven members. Suc- 
ceeding Rev. Mr. Palmer have been tJie following pastors: Rev, 
W. M. Bauui, .Jr., 1880 to 1883; Rev. Philip S. Hooper, 1883 to 18SG; 
Rev. H. C. Grossman, 1886 to 1890; Rev. John Kling, 1891-91, and 
Rev. George E. Faber, 1894-98. 

The following quotation is from a history of the church writ- 
ten in 1892 by Rev. -John Kling: 

"At a regulaj'ly called meeting held on December 25, 1875, the 
Mennonite congregation (being about to abandon their work in the 
town) unanimously agreed to convey their church property to the 
Lutherans upon the following conditions, viz.: That the latter 
should assume the indebtedness upon the property, and that they 
should hold the property for divine worship. These conditions were 
unanimously accepted by the Lutherans. In accordance with an 
act of the State Legislature passed in 1873, and by action of the 
courts of Chester County, on May 17, 1878, the church became an 
incorporate body. The circumstances which led to the organiza- 
tion were such as are common in nearly all growing towns, viz.: 
Lutherans were coming in from tlie surrounding country, locat- 
ing in the town, and going into churches of other denominations." 

The building, which is of stone, was erected by the Mennonites 
in 1789, and it was repaired by them in 1873, and again repaired, 
by the Lutherans, in 1890. 

The following historical facts with reference to this church 
property were supplied at the request of the compiler of this work, 
by Col. Hamilton H. Gilkyson: 

"One of the most valuable tracts of land in the borough of 



852 CHESTER COUNTY 

Pha?nixville is without a le^al owner. Tliis tract is situated on 
the southwest corner of Main and Church Streets in said borough, 
and originally belongeil to the Society of Meunonites at Phoenix- 
ville, a corporation chartered by the court of common pleas of 
Chester County, on January 25, 1847, the charter being recorded 
in the IJecorder's office of Chester County, in corjjoration book No. 
1, page 33. It is now occupied by the Centi-al Lutheran Church 
of Phoenixville. 

"Jacob BuckAvalter and wife, by their deed dated December 
31, 1798, and recorded in the Recorder's office of Chester County, 
in Deed Book I\, 2, page 206, granted and conveyed to Abraham 
Eeiff and David BuckAvalter the above ti"act of land, and upon 
the same date (Deceiuber 31, 171)8) David Buckwalter and Abra- 
ham Eeiff executed a declaration of tiiist which will be found 
recorded in the Kecoi'der's office, of Chester County, in Deed Book 
E, 2, page 208, by which deed of trust the tract of laud is held for 
church purposes as therein set fortli (see record). 

"The Mennonite Society occupied the tract of land for many 
years for church purjjoses and used a portion of the ground as a 
place of burial, until the congregation became extinct. 

"On October 23, 1873, a deed was executed by Israel Beidler 
and IIeur\' A. Hunsicker, trustees, appointed by the court for that 
purpose, to Gates John for a portion of the premises above de- 
scribed, which deed is recorded in the Recorder's Office of Chester 
County in Deed Book K, 8, YiA. 182, page 322, and on July 31, 
1877, a deetl of contirmation was made by Henry A. Hunsicker, 
surviving trustee, to Gates John, which deed of confirmation is 
recorded in Miscellaneous Deed Book No. 17, page 168. Shortly 
after the year 1877 a new stone church was erected on the remain- 
ing portion of the grounds, mainly fr(mi the iiroceeds of tlie sale 
of that portion to Gates John. 

"Mr. Beidler, one of the trustees, is long since dead, and Mr. 
Hunsicker is the only remaining trustee, and the Mennonite con- 
gregation has long since ceased to exist. 



AND ITFi PEOPLE. 853 

"By a verbal agreement made with a few of the .siirviving 
members of the Congregation of Mennonites the Lutheran Con- 
gregation organized a chnn-h and toolv possession of the building 
and grounds, and liave continued to occupy them fur the past 
twenty years. 

"This congregation, known as the Central Lutheran Church, 
are neither the owners nor tlie lessees of the oi'iginal owners, and 
therefore have no legal title, except that which possession gives 
to them. 

"An examination of the deed of Jacob Buckwalter and wife 
in 1798 will, I think, disclose the fact that when the property 
ceased to be used by the Mennonite Society for church purposes it 
returns to the legal heirs of the original grantor. (This state- 
ment should be confirmed by examination of the deed.)" 

It will be noticed that in the above sketch it is stated by Col. 
Gilkyson that the Lutherans took possession of the property by a 
verbal agreement. The present pastor of the church, however, 
Rev. George E. Faber, states in a communication to the writer 
that by a written agreement made March 25, 187G, between John 
II. Buckwalter, Amos Detwiler and M. C. Pennypacker, on the 
part of the Mennonite congregation, and the trustees of the Eng- 
lish Lutheran congregation, the church property w'as, on almost 
nominal conditions, transferred to the Lutherans for church pur- 
jjoses, indefinitely. 

Tlie question as to the legal ownership of this property is one 
that may sometime be settled by the courts. 

The Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Coatesville w'as 
organized June 19, 1890. The organization was an outgroAvth of 
Blessing Sunday-school, a union Sunday-school, which had been 
started some years previous with the special view of gathering in 
the children of some families who did not attend any other Sun- 
day-school. The Blessing family and family of Mr. John S. Hope 
were the ])rime movers in this foundation work, which grew into 



854 CHESTER COUNTY 

the present Lutheran Church. The organization numbered at 
first only seventeen communicant members. Gradually, but 
surely and steadily, the number grew, until now, after nearly 
seven years of persistent, tireless effort, the congregation numbers 
about one hundred and fifty communicants. 

The following figures and statistics, taken from the recent an- 
nual report of the treasurer, Mr. H. K. Kurtz, indicates in part 
the financial growth, and success of the entei*prise. Cost of the 
church property to date, .1fl3,730.9G. There has been paid of this 
amount before and since the dedication of the church building, 
Sunday, Junie 19, 1882, .f9,730.23. The pastor of this church 
from the time of its organization has been Rev. W. H. Steck, who 
has ever been faithful and eiiicient. The membership of the church 
is about 200, and of the Sunday-school 150. 

The First Reformed Church of Coventry had its origin many 
years ago, the earliest record bearing the date of 1743. Fifty 
people of this faith on April 10, 1743, issued a cfill to the Rev. 
Jacob Lischey to become their pastor, they having then recently 
heard him preach a sermon, which he had done at their request, 
and they were satisfied with his earnestness and his doctrines. 
The church was organized in Philadelphia May 19, 1743, by the 
signing of the discipline, and this organization remained in force 
until June 11, 1837. The first log church edifice was erected 
about 1750, it being of hewn logs, one and a half stories high, 
with twelve light windows in the lower story. The Rev. Chris- 
topher Munz was the next preacher, and the third was Rev. J, 
Philip Leydick. In 1784 the preacher was the Rev. Frederick 
Dallicker, who remained until 1799. The present church building 
was erected in 1800, and from the time of its dedication which 
must have been soon aftei*ward, Rev. Frederick Hennan was the 
pastor, remaining until 1821. Then came the Rev. John C. 
Guldin, and then followed several who remained each only a short 
time, as Revs. Hough, Andrew Young, J. S. Foulke, L. D. Leber- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 85 5 

man and David Heffelfiuger. In 1855 Eev. William Sorber ac- 
cepted a call, entering upon bis duties June 22. He appears to 
haA'e remained until his death, in 1878, when he was succeeded 
by his son, Eev. George S. Sorber, who remained until January 
31, 188G, and was followed by Eev. J. W. Meminger, who began 
his labors June 1, 1886. Eemainiug but one year, he was suc- 
ceeded by Eev. A. D. Wolfinger, who remained until May, 1890. 
On March 19, 1891, Eev. H. Hilbish became pastor and was suc- 
ceeded by Eev. Frank N. Bleiler, who remained until 1898, when 
he was succeeded by Eev. Mr. Eoyer, the present pastor. 

"The Eeformed Congregation of A'incent Township beyond 
the Schuylkil," in East Vincent, was formed about 1758, llev. 
John Philip Leydick being the first pastor, and the first church 
building, a log one, being dedicated in May of that year. From 
1758 to 1833 there were baptized into thisi church 735 persons. 
In 1781 Eev. Frederick Dallicker became pastor, and since then 
the following have been pastors of this church: Eevs. Frederick 
Herman, 1799 to 1821; John C. Guldin, 1821 to 1810; Mr. Honger, 
John E. Kooken and Mr. Hoffman each a short time; Alfred B. 
Shenkle, to October 1, 1808; Maxwell S. Eoland, from 1869 to 1881; 
D. W. Ebbert, 1881 to 1887; Leighton G. Kremer, 1887 to 1890; 
I. Calvin Fisher, 1891 to 1892; Edward Weist, 1892 to 1896, and 
H. H. Hartman, 1897 to the present time. 

St. Vincent Eeformed Church, in East Vincent Township, 
was organized about 1848, by members that had Avithdrawn from 
the Eeformed Congregation of Vincent Township, on account of 
certain doctrinal points of church discipline. The church edifice 
was erected in 1852, and was dedicated September 4, that year. 
The building is 42x60 feet, is two stories high, and cost |1,099.86. 
Following are the names of the pastors of this church: Eev. 
Samuel Seifert, a short time; 1853-54, Eev. E. W. Reincke; 1854-56, 
George D. Wolfe; 1857-58, Henry- Weisler; 1859 to 1882, Jesse B. 
Knipe, who Avas born in 1805 and died in 1884. Since then the 



856 CHESTER COUNTY 

following- have officiated here: Eev. S. P. Manger, 1882 to 188fi; 
Key. J. A. Mertz, 1887 to 1897, and Eev. Mr. Long, who was in- 
stalled in June, 1898. 

St. Peter's (Pikeland) Reformed Church was organized in 
1811, and from that time up to 1830 was served by the following 
pastors: Eevs. Frederick A. Herman, Jr., D. D., Jacob W. Dechant, 
and Casper Wach, and possibly by others. On September 30, 
1830, Eev. Jesse B. Knipe was ordained jjastor of the church, and 
continued to preach for it until January 1, 1881, when he resigned. 
Since that time the following have been the pastors: Eev. S. P. 
Manger, 1882 to 1888; Eev. James E. Lewis, supply, 1888 to 1889; 
Eev. F. C. Yost, 1889 to 1890; Eev. I. Calvin Fisher, 1891 to 1892; 
Eev. Edward Weist, 1892 to 1893; Eev. W. A. Korn, 1893 to the 
present time, assisted by Eev. J. L. Fluck. 

St. Matthew's Eeformed Church was organized in the summer 
of 1833, and they, in connection with the Lutheran congregation 
of the same township. West Vincent, during that summer erected 
a church edifice which was dedicated December 23, 1833, Eev. 
Jesse B. Knipe being the first pastor. Both congregations con- 
tinued to use it for worship on alternate Sundays until the spring 
of 1879, when the Eefornie<l Church purchased the interests of 
the Lutherans in the property. The Eeformed congregation 
adopted a constitution March 18, 1831, and on May 25, 1834, 
thirty-two persons were present at the first communion sen'ice, 
the pastor being Eev. John C. (Juldiu, who remained until 1837. 
In 1838 Eev. Jacob Zeigler was pastor, and was followed by Eev.s. 
J. S. Wolf, 1839-40; Edward D. Smith, 1840-42; Jacob Hangen, 
1842-43; Andrew S. Young, 1843-44; John C. Fulk, 1844-4.5; 
Jesse B. Knipe, 1850-09; Maxwell S. Eoland, 1869-79; L. D. 
Stambaugh, 1879-83; E. D. Wettach, 1884-90; J. L. Fluck, 1891-95, 
and E. C. Suit, 1895 to the present time. In 1880 a new church 
building was erected which is 05x42 feet in size, and two stories 
high, is in the Gothic style and cost $7,000. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 857 

St. Paul's Eeformed Cluirch of Liouville was organized about 
1838, a cliurcli building having been erected that year, with the 
assistance of the Lutheran Church, the two congregations using 
it for religious purposes on. altei'nate Sundays until 1851, the 
Reformed Church then purchasing the interests of the Lutherans. 
From the time of organization to Jauuaiy 16, 1881, Rev. Jesse B. 
Knipe was the pastor, he resigning on the latter date. Since 
then the pastors have been as follows: Rev. A. R. Thompson, 1881 
to 1883; Rev. L. D. Stambaugh, 1883 to 1884; Rev. E. D. Wettacii, 
supply, a short time, and was installed June 15, 1881 to 18S1); 
Rev. J. Lewis Fluck, 1891 to 1895, and Rev. E. C. Suit to present 
time. 

The Second Reformed Church of Coventry was organized 
about 1837, for in that year a church building was erected under 
the pastorate of Rev. John C. Gulden, Avho was then pastor of the 
First Reformed Church of Coventry, otherwise known as "Brown- 
back's." It was for many years supplied by the ministers of the 
First Reformed Church. This church has been generally known 
as "Shenkle's," there having been for sevei*al years, before the 
church was erected, a cemetery there by that name. 

The pastors of this church have been as follows: Revs. John 
C. Gulden, 1835-37; Jacob W. Hongeu, Andrew S. Young, John 
C. Fulk, ^V. R. Work, and David Heffelfinger up to 1855; William 
Sorbin, 1855 to 1878; George S. Sorber, 1879-86; James W. 
Meminger, 1886-87; A. D. Wolflnger, 1887-91; W. 11. Stubblebiue, 
1891-93; Frank N. Bleiler, 1893-98, and Rev. Mr. Royer, the pres- 
ent pastor. 

The North Phoenixville German Reformed Church was estab- 
lished about 1860, but it was not long maintained. 

The First Reformed Church of Spring City was organized 
April 25, 1882, with forty-seven members. Rev. D. W. Ebbert 
being the first pastor. Services were held in a hall until the 
lecture room of the neat stone church edifice was completed, and 



8s8 CHESTER COUXTY 

services were held in the lecture room for the first time December 
25, 18S4. The building itself was conijjleted in March, 1885, and 
dedicated April 2, 1885. Rev. Mr. Ebbert i*emained pastor of 
this church until July, 1887, and was succeeded by Ivev. L. <j. 
Kremer, who began his pastoral duties January 1, 1888. Eev. 
Calvin Derr became pastor in January, 1891, remained until 1890, 
and was succeeded by the present pastor, Eev. S. H. Eisenberg, in 
1896. 

The Mennonite Church, it is believed, had missions or pei'haps 
regular church organizations in Chester County at a very early 
day, as early as 1725, and from that time on up to 1785 there 
were three Mennonite Churches on the Schuylkill Elver, all of 
which are believed to have been in Chester County. There was 
a little church building in East Coventry Township on the Schuyl- 
kill road about three miles from Pottstown, which had in its wall 
the date, 1728, a one-story building. The first Mennonite Churcii 
in the vicinity of Phoenixville was located near the Heckel 
family residence. The Mennonite Meeting-house in Phoenixville 
was erected in 1772, on Main Street, near Nutt's Eoad, designed 
at first as a church and school building. The first preacher was 
Matthias Pennypacker, and upon his death he was followed by 
John Buckwalter, Daniel Showalter, George Hellerman, Jacob 
Halderman, Jesse Beitler, Joseph Halderman, John Showalter 
and Isaac Beitler. The members of this sect are gradually 
diminishing in numbers everywhere, and do not now maintain a 
church organization in Chester County. 

The Disciples of Christ came into Chester County about 1839, 
in which year a minister of theirs by the name of George Austiu 
began preaching in a barn. In 1811 the members of this society 
resolved to erect a meeting-house, building a small stone church 
at Chestnut Grove, in Penn Township, about half a mile from 
New London. In 1880 they began the erection of a large frame 
building which was completed in . Up to 1881 they had 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 859 

had but two preachers, Edward Orvis aud a Mr. Soniers, eaeli 
remaining only a few years, aud otherwise services were con- 
ducted by the members of the church. At other times a preacher 
came up from Baltimore, preaching daily for a week or two. 

The Christian Church was established in Chester County iu 
1845, in which year Elder Frederick Plummer began preaching 
in a grove near Kimbleville. t^ome time afterward the member- 
ship having sufficiently increased, a brick church edifice was 
erected in Franklin Township, which was named Mount Olivet, 
Elder Plummer remaining until 1850. His nephew, Charles II. 
Plummer, succeeded him, and there was also a preacher there by 
the name of William H. Pittmau, ftnd another named Parvin. 
Still later Kev. David Somers, of the Church of the Disciples, 
preached for them, and conducted a Sunday-school. Aften\'ard 
the church was unoccupied, the membership being small, aud at 
the present time it is . 



CHAPTER XIX. 

TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS, 



CHAPTEE XIX. 

TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS — ORIGIN OF NAMES — FORMATION OF EACH TOWNSHIP 

■ SUBDIVISIONS NAMES OF FIRST SETTLERS — TRACTS OWNED BY THEM — THE 

COUNTV-SEAT CONTROVERSY COUNTY BUILDINGS MUNICIPAL 

AFFAIRS AND OFFICERS WATER WORKS AND OTHER PUBLIC 

ENTERPRISES PLANS OF THE TOWNS SQUARES AND PARKS 

SOCIETIES — FIRE COMPANIES BOARDS OF TRADE 

LIBRARIES- — ELEEMOSYNARY INSTITUTIONS BUSI- 
NESS ENTERPRISES — HEALTH — CHARTER PRIVI- 
LEGES — OTHER INTERESTING EVENTS. 

FOLLOWING is a sketch of the formation of each township 
and a historical mention of each borough in Chester County. The 
number of the townships is fifty-six and the number of boroughs 
is ten. The borough sketches will be found in connection with 
the townships in which they are located. 

Birmiugham Township is in the southeastern part of the 
county, and is bordered bj- a township of the same name in Dela- 
ware County on the southeast, and by the Brandywine River on 
the southwest. It is believetl to have been named by William 
Brinton, one of the first settlers therein, who came from the vi- 
cinity of Birmiugham, England. It was surveyed about the year 
1684, to various persons, on account of purchases they had made 
while yet in Englaud, and was organized as a municipal district 
in 16S6 by the appointment of John Bennett as constable. On 
Holmes' map of the early settlements of Pennsylvania the name is 
spelled Brummagen, and it was originally so pronounced, this pro- 
nunciation, according to Judge Futhey, having been brought from 
England by the early settlers. Judge Futhey also says that the 
name Brummagen is derived from Brumwycheham, the ancient 
name of Birmingham, and that it signifies the name of a Beorm, 
or Saxon chief. 

51 863 



864 CHESTER COUNTY 

The name Brintoii was for many years pronounced Branton, 
and it is believed that all bearing the name Brintou are descended 
from William Bi'inton, AA^ho named the township. It is one of the 
most historic townships in the county, that part of the battle of 
Brandj'wine, fought in the vicinity of Birmingham Meeting-house^ 
being fought within its limits, the site of operations near Chadd's 
Ford being in Delaware County, as the lines now run. 

Bradford Township, now divided into East and West Brad- 
ford ToAvnships, lies to the northAvest of Birmingham ToAvnship. 
The division into two toAvnships was made in 1731. In this, as 
in other townships, the first surveys were made for those who had 
made purchases of the land before leaving England, and it was 
also true that many of the first settlers had purchased the land 
of these first purchasers. An unbroken wilderness existed here 
in all its primeval beauty up to lOSG, about which time surveys 
were made of most of the land south of the Strasburg Road Sti-eet 
Koad, forming the southern limits of the township until about the 
year 1870. 

The first settler of this township is believed to have been Rich- 
ard Buffington, Avho was appointed constable in 1705, from which 
year the "organization" of the county dates. Richard Butfiugton 
had settled at Upland previous to the arrival of William Penn, 
and indeed before Penn had obtained his grant. Richard Bufiing- 
ton was the ancestor of the numerous Buftington family in Chester 
County. As constable he was succeeded in 1706 by Robert Jef- 
feris, and he in 1707 by Abiah Tayloi\ It was in 1096 that Mi". 
Buffington, in connection Avith William Vestal, purchased 218 
acres of land from the executors of John Loftus, and in 1701 they 
obtained the remaining 218 acres of the Loftus tract, which ex- 
tended from the Brandywine, below the forks, nearly to Strode's 
Mill. In 1708 Mr. Buffington purchased from Thomas Martin of 
Middletown 210 acres, Avhich extended northward from his first 
purchase to the east branch of the Creek. 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 86$ 

Abiah Taylor, above mentioned, settled on the Brandywine in 
1702, built a mill on a creek emptying into it, and in 1724 erected 
a brick house, the bricks having been imported from England. 
This statement is made on the authority of Futhey & Cope's short 
historical sketch of Chester County, published in Dr. Egle's "His- 
tory of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," published in Phila- 
delphia in 1883. But in the large "History of Chester County," 
written by the same gentleman, and published in 1881, the following 
statement is made: "It has been frequently said that the bricks were 
brought from England, but this is not correct. They were made 
on the farm, from clay procured a short distance south of the 
house." The statement tbat they were brought from England 
contains nothing improbable, for previous to the Kevolution, at 
least, it was the firm policy of England that the mother country 
should supply the colonies with all their manufactured goods, of 
whatever kind. 

Brandywine Township was formed in 1790, from the northern 
part of East Cain Township. It was named from the two branches 
of the Brandywine, which bounded it on the east and west sides. 
It was divided into East and West BrandyAvine Townships in 1814. 
In 1853 a small portion of the southern end of West Brandywine 
Township was taken in the formation of Valley Township, and in 
1859 the line running between East and West Brandywine was 
so changed in its location as to take into West Brandywine a por- 
tion of East Brandywine. In 1860 an addition was made to West 
Brandywine from the southeast corner of Honeybrook and the 
western part of Wallace. In this addition was located the Brandy- 
wine Manor Presbyterian Church, which had previously been in 
Honeybrook Township, and which is situated on what was at one 
time Springton Manor, whicli embraced the larger part of the pres- 
ent Wallace Township. There never was any Brandywine Manor. 

Charlestown Township is in the eastern part of the county 
next west of Schuylkill. It was named after Charles Pickering 



866 CHESTER COUNTY 

of Asmore, Chester County, England, as was also Pickering Creek. 
Charles Pickering crossed the ocean with William Penn, and when 
wandering up tlie Schuylkill Kiver, in search of treasure, thought 
he discovered traces of silver on the banks of the stream which 
now bears his name, and afterward obtained from William Penn 
a grant of a large tract of land bordering on the stream. In 1863 
he was tried for setting up a private mint for the "Quoining of 
Spanish bitts and Boston money," an account of the trial being 
presented on other pages of this work. According to Judge Fu- 
they, Pickering was subsequently drowned while crossing the 
ocean, and his land in Chester County divided among sixteen of 
his friends, to whom he had devised it. In 1718 ''Pickering Letts," 
4,640 acres, were included in the non-resident land of AVhiteland 
assessment, and in 1722 the names of the actual settlers are ob- 
tained for the first time, in the "Charles Town Hates." Follo^^ 
ing are their names: Francis Buckholder and his sons; Samuel 
Richardson, John Humphreys, James Jones, Philip Jones, David 
Jones, Llewellyn David, Griffith Pritchard, Mathias Martin, Alex- 
ander Owen, John Rees, Manuel Jones, Thomas, John, 
Stephen David, James Anderson, Hari'y Griffith, and Lewis 
Martyn. The non-resident laud owners were as follows: Cocks 
& Co., 20,000 acres; London Tract, John Moore, Joshua Carpenter, 
John Bud, Samuel Buckley, and there was a tract called Pike's 
Land. The aggregate value of laud o^^ ned then by these non- 
residents was £2,397. 

In 1722 the first constable in the township was appointed, in 
the person of Thomas John, and in 1724 there were the following 
settlers there, besides those whose names have been given: Will- 
iam Moore, John David, David Gilby, John Powell, David, James 
and Philip John, Thomas David, John, Joseph and Jacob Buck- 
walder, Benjamin Villauer, John Evan, Griffith and Azariah 
Thomas and John Jones. 

Pickering Creek for many years ran many mills, of which the 



AND /7W PEOPLE. 867 

most uoted was that erected by Judge William Moore, above 
named. 

The Manor of Bilton may be here appropriately mentioned. 
In 1681 William Penn conveyed to his sister, Margaret Lowther, 
10,000 acres of laud, in right of which a tract called the Manor 
of Bilton was laid out on the west side of the Schuylkill, and 
separated from the "Manor of Mount Joy," by the Valley Creek. 
When this Manor of Bilton was resurveyed in 1733 it was found to 
contain 2,850 acres, being the southeastern part of Charlestown 
Township. In 1737 William Allen of Philadelphia became the 
owner of the manor, selling it in 1739 to John Parry of Haverford. 
Afterward the land was divided up among the following persons: 
AVilliam .John Adam, .500 acres; Widow Mathias, 203 acres; John 
Jones, 500 acres; William Griffith, 171 acres; Cadwalader Hugh, 
176 acres; Griffith Thomas, 235 acres; Thomas James, George Rees 
and William Lloyd, 430 acres; Thomas Howell, 366 acres; Jenkin 
David, 200 acres, and Catharine Pees, 151 acres. 

In 1826 the township was divided, the eastern division lying 
along the Schuylkill Piver, being named after that stream, and 
the name Charlestown being retained by the western j)ortion. In 
1827 the lines between the southwestern jiart of Charlestown and 
the townships of East and West Whiteland and Uwchlan were 
so altered as to correct defectiveness in former surveys. 

Cain Township was originally very large, including within 
its limits what is now embraced in Cain, East and West Cain, 
East and West BrandyAvino, and a part of Valley Townships. It 
was named from a town named Calne, in Wiltshire, England, 
whence some of the eai"ly settlers came. In 1702 surveys were 
made from the west line of Whiteland to tlie west brauch of the 
Brandywine, confined mostly to the valley; but which afterward 
extended to the northward and to the southward. It was first 
settled by the Baldwins, Moores, Parkeses, Mendenhalls Pims, 
Coateses, Millers and others. Downingtowu now stands on land 



868 CHESTER COUNTY 

formerly owned by the Baldwins and Moores. On April 0, 1709, 
Joseph Cloud, Richard Cloud, and George Mendeuhall, all of Cain, 
were indicted for an assault on Joseph Hickman in his house in 
Cain, and in 1714 Peter Taylor was constable for the township, 
but it does not appear to be now known whether or not he was the 
first officer of that kind. 

On November 26, 1728, a petition, signed by thirty-one citi- 
zens, was presented to the court asking that, inasmuch as the 
township was so large, extending in length above fourteen miles 
and in breadth nearly fourteen miles, it might be divided into 
two townships, one of which should continue to be called Cain, 
and the other to be called SpefEorth, or Spofforth, probably the 
latter, as it is often difficult to distinguish between an "e" and an 
"o" iu the ancient manuscripts; but while the petition is indorsed 
"allowed," there is no evidence of the existence of a township by 
the name of Spefforth anywhere to be found. But West Cain was 
organized at that time, the Brandywine being the boundary line 
between the townships. On May 29, 1739, the boundaries of East 
Cain were definitely determined, and on May 29, 1714, the bound- 
aries of West Cain were likewise determined. In 1790 the limits 
of East Cain were reduced and the township of Brandywine erected, 
taken from the northern part of East Cain. In 1853 it was 
again reduced in size by the creation of Valley Township, and in 
1859 it was again reduced by the formation of the borough of 
Downingtown. In 1868 it was once more reduced, that portion 
lying east of the east branch of the Brandywine being made a 
separate township by the name of East Cain, and that part lying 
west of this east branch, together with a part of Valley Town- 
ship, being erected into a township by the name of Cain. When 
Valley Township was created in 1853 West Cain was slightly re- 
duced in size. The greater portion of Cain and East Cain lies 
within the Great Valley, and contains many beautiful farms, while 
West Cain is somewhat more hillv than the others. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 869 

Downingtown is ou the east branch of the Brandj'wiue, in the 
midst of the Great Valley. It was incorporated by a decree of 
the court May 12, 1859, and at an election held at the Swan Hotel 
on the 2Sth of the same month, James Lockhart was chosen bur- 
gess. This place was originally called Milltown, but more recently 
the name it now bears was given to it, in honor of the Downing 
family, that lived, and which still lives, in that neighborhood. 
One remarkable fact connected with the history of this cannot 
be omitted, and that is that during the early years of its existence 
it so strenuously resisted the attempt to make it the county-seat, 
that the county-seat had to be located elsewhere, and went to West 
Chester. It is pi'obable that no similar instance can be found in 
the history of the country, and it is well known that in many cases, 
especiallj- in western counties, there have been numerous "county- 
seat wars," rival towns making a most determined struggle to 
possess the county-seat, instead of driving it away. But in the 
case of Downingtown not a lot could be purchased upon which to 
erect the county buildings. 

Downingtown is now an enterprising place, and a prominent 
station on the Pennsylvania Kailroad. Its borough ofticei's have 
been as follows: 

Burgess— James Lockhart, 1859 and 1860; A. W. Wills, 1861; 
Charles Downing, 1862; Morgan L. Reece, 1863; J. Stuart Leech, 
1864; David Shelmire, 1865; John S. Mullin, 1866; William Edge, 
1867; Temple Jones, 1868; Eber Garrett, 1869; John S. Mullin, 
1870; William B. Torbert, 1871; David M. Cox, 1872; G. C. M. Eich- 
oltz, 1873-71; William B. Torbert, 1875; J. T. Carpenter, 1876; J. 
Stuart Leech, 1877-79; Thomas E. Parke, 1880-83; J. Stuart Leech, 
1884; Thomas E. Parke, 1885; John McGraw, 1886; L. T. Bremer- 
man, 1887-90; Joseph R. Downing, 1891-92; James K. Gordon, 1893- 
96, and A. P. Ringwalt, 1897-98. 

Secretaries — J. Stuart Leech, 1859; Charles Downing, 1860; 
J. Stuart Leech, 1861; Isaac Webster, 1862; John S. Mullin, 1863; 



870 CHESTER COUNTY 

John Webster, 18G4; Charles Downing, ISGo; John Webster, 1866- 
G9; J. E. Parke, 1870; George E, Wills, 1871-73; John Webster, 
1871; J. E. Parke, 1875; Harry L. Skeen, 187G; Samuel Liueiuger, 
1877-80; Eber Garrett, 1881; J. H. Koberts, 1882-84; Isaac Y. Ash, 
1885-86; Thomas Holliday, 1887-96, and E. A. Swank, 1897-98. 

Treasurers— William Edge, 1859-62; E. D. Wells, 1863-61; Eber 
Garrett, 1865; Temple Jones, 18GG-G7; Isaac Webster, 1868; G. C. 
M. Eicholtz, 1869-70; David M. Cox, 1871; William Edge, 1872; 
John S. Mullin, 1873; W. "F. McCaughey, 1874; George A. Cobb, 
1875-76; W. F. McCaughey, 1877; Francis O'Neal, 1878; Nathan 
Wilson, 1879-81; W. F. McCaughey, 1882; Jacob Shelmire, 1883; 
William McFarlan, 1884-86; F. Dunleavy Long, 1887; Nathan 
Wilson, 1888-90; F. Dunleavy Long, 1891-92; Downingtown Na- 
tional Bank, 1893-98. 

The members of the council at the present time are as follows: 
S. Austin Bicking, James E. Gordon, Gayon Miller, W. I. Pollock, 
Frank McGraw and Mai-k Connell. The borough of Downingtown 
put in a gravity system of water works in 1895, bringing the 
water from springs three miles to the south, which furnish a 
pressure of 45 pounds, sufficient to throw the water over the 
tops of the highest buildings in the place. The water has been 
placed in most of the residences and business houses and manu- 
factories, and the reservoir has a capacity of 2,500,000 gallons. 

There is also an electric light, heat and power company, of 
which John T. Fox is president, Joseph E. Downing, treasurer, and 
Thomas E. Parke, secretary. The company was organized in the 
spring of 1898, and is composed of the citizens of Dowuington, 
the shares of stock being |10 each. The works are located on the 
"Y" branch of the Downingtown and Lancaster Eailroad, and have 
two dynamos, two high speed engines, and two boilers, the latter 
being procured from tlie Coatesville Boiler Works. While it is the 
design to supply both arc and incandescent lights, yet up to the 
present writing (May 14, 1898) there is but one arc light, and 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 871 

that is over the bridge on Lancaster Avenue where this avenue 
crosses the Brandywine. 

North, East and South Coventn' lie in the extreme north of 
the county, extending from the Schuylkill River westward. The 
original township, it is believed, was named by Samuel Nutt, who 
came from Coventi-y, War^-ickshire, England. The first list of 
settlers obtainable is from the assessment of 171S, and included 
the following names: Israel Robinson, John Sinclair, John Rum- 
ford, Thomas Miller, Richard Duncley, Marcus Overhult, John 
Oburne, Henry Castle, Hubert Castle, Henry Parker, Garrett 
Prompter, Simon Meredith, David Evans, James Pugh, William 
Philips, Owen Roberts, and John Blare. 

In 1841 the township was divided into North and Soutli 
Coventry, and in 1841 East Coventrj- was formed by dividing- 
North Coventry. In this same year the line between South Cov- 
entry and East Vincent was established, as it was supposed to 
have been originally ran. 

Easttown Township lies in the southeast part of the county, 
and is bounded on the north by Tredyffrin, and on the east by 
Tredyffriu and Radnor, the latter township being in Delaware. 
Its territory' was included in the original survey made for the 
Welsh and was settled by them. It was "organized" as early as 
1704, as its constable, William Thomas, appeared at court 
December 27, 1704-05. In 1800 the town of Glassley was laid 
out by Robert McClenachan, near what is now Berwyn. This 
township is most noted as being the home of the Wayne family, 
the founder of which, Anthony Wajme, first appears in the assess- 
ment roll in 1724. It is also noted for containing the summer 
residence, which finally became the permanent residence of Julius 
F. A. Sachse^ in 1877, formerly a merchant in Philadelphia and 
also a noted horticulturist. The name given to this place is 
"Sachseustein," after the old family-seat near Erfurt in Germany, 
the ruins of which still exist. 



8/2 CHESTER COUNTY 

Goshen Township, formerly a part of Westtown Township, was 
organized at least as early as 1704. It was included within the 
orijj;inal sui"\ey for the Welsh, but owing to the delay of the 
Welsh to settle therein many surveys were made within its limits 
for other purchasers. The first settlers of Goshen Township in 
the eastern part were the Ashbridge family, which was for many 
years very prominent in coinity and State affairs, George Ash- 
bridge serving in the General Assembly for twenty successive 
years. David Jones was also one of the early settlers. The first 
constable, appearing at court, in 1704, was Cadwalader Ellis. 
There were two large tracts of land, each of a mile square, adjoin- 
ing (ray Street, West Chester, one of which was owned by Richard 
Thomas, the owner of the otlier not having been ascertained. The 
southwest part of Goslien Townsliip was taken up in the right of 
Thomas Lloyd, whose executors in 1706 sold two tracts of land, 
<'ontaining respectively 797 and 850 acres, to William Crouch of 
London. In 1702 they had sold to John Haines of New Jersey 
905 acres, which now includes that part, of the borough of West 
Chester south of Gay Street. North of this and west of High 
Street a tract of (530 acres was patented to Nathaniel Puckle, and 
later passed into the hands of the Hoopes family. Richard 
Thomas, mentioned above, lived in Whiteland, and sold his 1,100 
acres of land which lay east of High Street, in allotments or 
divisions running from north to south, beginning at the west side, 
to different persons as follows: Edward Jones, 200 acres; Robert 
Eachus, 200; Joseph Collins, 125; Thomas Evans, 175; Mordecai 
Bane, 200, and Alexander Bane, 200. 

East of the tract owned by Richard Thomas was one of 316 
acres owned by Evan Jones & Co., and beyond this was one of 
about equal size owned by Ellis David. Then came a tract of 
635 acres owned by Thomas Jones & Co. Perhaps the most inter- 
esting fact connected with the early settlement of Goshen Town- 
ship is this: That John aj) Thomas of Llaithgwm, Commott of 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 873 

Pennllyn, Merioneth Countv', and Edward Jones of Bala, in the 
same county in Wales, ehiriirjieon, purchased from William Peun, 
l>v lease and release of September 10 and IT, 1681, 5,000 acres of 
laud, as agents or trustees for themselves and othei-s. They exe- 
cuted deeds to the other purchasers before coming to this country. 
One-half of each person's share was located in Goshen Towuship, 
b}^ direction of a warrant for the subdivision of the Welsh Tract. 
John ap Thomas died in Wales in 1(183, but his children, who ar- 
rived in Pennsylvania in Xovember of the same year, and who 
bore the uame of Jones, took up half his purchase in Goshen 
Township. Edward Jones, Edward Eees, William a]) Edward 
and others arrived in 1682. Cadwalader Morgan and Hugh John 
sold what they owned in Goshen to John Roberts, who nmrried 
Gaiuor Roberts, another purchaser, and thus came into possession 
of 262 acres in Goshen. In 1749 Robert Roberts, the only son of 
John Roberts, sold 230 acres of this 262 acres to Thomas Goodwin. 
The Goodwin homestead remained in the family for many years, 
having descended to Mary Goodwin, who married Samuel R. 
Downing. Griffith Owen had a house in Goshen at which Friends' 
meetings were held as early as 1702. lu 1788 the size of the 
towuship was re<luced by the erection of the borough of West 
Chester, and in 1817 the division into East and West Goshen was' 
made. 

West Chester, the county seat of Chester County, is situated in 
West Goshen Township, the southwest boundary line of the latter 
being the southwest boundary of the borough of West Chester. 
The latitude and longitude of the city were determined in 1813 by 
E. W. Bean and Walter Hibbard, the former being at the time 
principal of the public schools in West Chester, and the latter a 
surveyor and conveyancer of the same place. The latitude was 
then determined as being 39 57 31.3 and the longitude as being 
1 24 51 east of Washington, District of Columbia. Its location is 
on the watershed between Brandywine Creek and Chester Creek, 



874 CHESTER COUNTY 

being about two miles from the Brandvwiiie and quite near the 
head of one of the branches of the Chester Creek. It is five miles 
south of the great limestone valley, twenty-three miles west of 
the original city of Philadelphia and sixteen miles north of Wil- 
mington, Delaware. Its elevation is about 4G0 feet above the level 
of the sea. 

Until after the close of the Kevolutionary War the county- 
seat remained at Chester, on the Delaware River, the county grow- 
ing more populous in the meantime, even in the northern and 
western portions. About 1779 an effort was made to secure its 
removal to a more central location; yet, notwithstanding the ad- 
mitted incouveuience to the great majority of the people in the 
location of the county-seat in the extreme southeastern corner of 
the county, there was, on the part of the inhabitants of the village 
of Chester, strenuous opposition made to its removal, as was quite 
natural to expect. The controversy was maintained several years, 
even after such removal was determined upon by law, with con- 
siderable bitterness and with varving success. 

The result of the agitation thus persisted in was the passage 
by the Legislature of an act on March 20, 17S0, authorizing Will- 
iam Clingan, Thomas Bull, John Kinkead, Roger Kirk, John Sel- 
lars, John Wilson and Joseph Davis, or any four or more of them, 
to build a new court-house and prison in the county of Chester, 
and to sell the old court-house and prison in the borough of Ches- 
ter. No time was specified within which these commissioners 
should purchase laud and erect the mentioned buildings, nor was 
there any restriction as to location, except what was expressed 
in the preamble against the inconvenience of the location then 
maintained. 

But for some reason, either opposition to the removal itself, or 
mere negligence, the above-named gentlemen failed to act, except 
in so far as to purchase land for a site in the township of East 
Cain, which location seems to ha^e been unsatisfactory to the 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 875 

most prominent gentlemen favoring the removal of the county- 
seat, and it was probably this dissatisfaction with the projjosed 
location that led to the passage, on March 22, J 784, of an act sup- 
plementary to the original act, by which the names of John Han- 
num, Isaac Taylor and John Jacobs were substituted for those of 
of the original commissioners. The authority granted to the three 
gentlemen last named was similar to that granted to the original 
seven, but they were not authorized to erect the proposed new court- 
house and prison "at a greater distance than one mile and a half 
from tlie Turk's Head Tavern, in the township of Goshen, and to 
the west or southwest of said Turk's Head Taverii, and on or near 
a straight line from the feri'y, called the Corporation Ferry, on 
the Schuylkill to the village of Strasburg." 

Historians all appear to agree that this peculiar restriction 
was introduced into the supplementary act at the suggestion of 
Mr. Hannum, then a member of the Legislature, under the belief 
that it would permit the buildings to be erected on his lands on 
the left bank of the Brandy wine; but actual measurement demon- 
strated the fact that his lands lay more than two miles from the 
Turk's Head Tavern, hence Mr. Hannum must have been grievously 
disappointed. 

Being all active removalists, the committee at once contracted 
for the purchase of land near the Turk's Head Tavern, and in the 
summer of 1784 began the erection of the buildings, a court-house 
and a prison adjacent to each other. It is said that Col. John 
Hannum was the real founder of West Chester, and that in an- 
ticipation of its location he took care to become an extensive owner 
of lauds and lots within the limits of the borough. 

In an historical sketch of the borough of West Chester by 
'■The oldest inhabitant," published in 1857, it is stated that: 

"The colonel was a sort of County Autocrat, and, for a long 
time, managed matters pretty much in his own way. He built 
the old Washington Hotel, on High Street, with only a narrow 



S76 CHESTER COUNTY 

alley between it and the court-house; and with a view to secure 
the patronage of the judges to the hotel, he projected a kind of 
gallerj' or passageway from the second story across the alley into 
the hall of justice, for the accommodation of their Ilonors; and 
even went so far toward effecting an opening as to remove some 
stones from the court-house wall, when the county commissioners 
mustei'ed courage enough to forbid further operations. The gaps 
made in the wall testified to the liberty thus taken for many years,, 
until the exterior of the old building was renovated by a rough 
coat of plastering and pebble-dashing. 

"While these proceedings were in train at the Turk's Head 
the worthy burgers of ancient Upland were concocting a violent 
opposition to what they naturally regai'ded as an injurious if not 
ruinous project. The operations of the workmen at the new pub- 
lic buildings were suspended by the ensuing winter before the 
walls were quite completed; and the functions of the commission- 
ei's themselves were interrupted by an act of Assembly obtained <iu 
the 30th of March, 1785, to suspend the supplement," etc. 

Now, turning to a History of Chester County, written by 
Joseph J. Lewis, and published in the Tillage Record in 1824, 
the folloAving account of the high-handed proceedings taken by 
those citizens who preferred that the county-seat should still re- 
main in Chester may be found: "The people generally in the 
neighborhood of Chester had been violently opposed from the be- 
ginning to the projected removal, and a number now resolved to 
demolish the walls already erected. Accordingly a company as- 
sembled, armed and accoutered, and having procured a field piece, 
appointed Major Harper commander, and proceeded to accomplish 
their design. A few days before this expedition left Chester notice 
of its object was communicated by some of the leaders to the 
neighborhood of the Turk's Head, and preparations were imme- 
diately made for its reception. In this business Col. Hanuum was 
particularly active. He directly requested Col. Isaac Taylor and 



AND ITS PEOPLE. - S77 

Mr. Marshall to bring in what men they could collect, and began 
himself to prepare cartridges and to procure arms. Grog and 
rations were freely distributed, and a pretty respectable force was 
soon upon the ground. The windows of the court-house were 
boarded up on each side, and the space between filled with stones; 
loopholes were left for the musketry. Each man had his sta- 
tion assigned him. Marshall and Taylor commanded in the upper 
story — Underwood and Patton below, while Col. Hannum had the 
direction of the whole. All things were arranged for a stout re- 
sistance. 

"The non-removalists, having passed the night at the Green 
Tree (hotel), made their appearance near the Turk's Head early in 
the morning, and took their ground about two hundred yards 
southeast of the Quaker Meeting-house. Here they planted their 
cannon and made preparations for the attack. They seemed, how- 
ever, when everything was ready, still reluctant to proceed to ex- 
tremities, and having remained several hours in a hostile position, 
an accommodation was effected between the parties, by the in- 
tervention of some pacific people, who used their endeavors to pre- 
vent the effusion of blood. To the non-removalists was conceded 
the liberty of inspecting the defenses of their opponents, on con- 
dition that they should do them no injury, and they on their part 
agreed to abandon their design and to return i^eaceably to their 
homes. The cannon which had been pointed against the walls was 
turned in another direction, and fired in celebi'ation of the ti'eaty. 
Col. Hannum then directed his men to leave the court-house, and 
having formed in line a short distance on the the right, to ground 
their arms and wait till the other party should have finished their 
visit to the building. Here an act of indiscretion had nearly 
brought on a renewal of hostilities. For one of Major Harper's 
men, having entered the fort, struck down the fiag which their 
opponents had raised upon the walls. Highly incensed at this 
treatment of their standard the removalists snatched up their 



878 CHESTER COUNTY 

arms and were with difficulty prevented from firing on the Major 
and his companions. Some exertion, however, on the part of the 
leaders allayed the irritation of the men and the parties separated 
at last, without loss of life or limb." 

It is now pertinent to inquire as to why this attack was 
made or threatened. Why did the people in the lower end of Ches- 
ter County attempt to i^revent the completion of the public 
buildings in West Chester? For they must have had some ac- 
tuating motive. Probably the best answer to this question is that 
given by Dr. Smith that the removalists, Col. Hannum and his 
compatriots, had proceeded with the work on these buildings after 
the suspension of the supplementarj' act, mentioned above, which 
was suspended March 30, 1785; and if this is the case it of course 
appeared to the Chester people that the West Chester people cared 
nothing for the acts of the Assembly. And if a promise to de- 
sist from work on the public buildings was a portion of the treaty 
of peace, as is also stated, this promise was kept only while 
non-removalists were within hearing and sight of the place. Then 
again on the other hand it is said that the suspension act itself 
was procured by some sort of underhand work, or misrepresenta- 
tion as to the temper of the people of the county toward removal, 
and if so, then the removalists were not so much to blame for 
proceeding with the construction of the buildings. 

The next step on the part i)f the Legislature of the State was 
taken on March 18, 1786, when an act was passed repealing the 
susi>ension act, and thus the work was permitted to go on. By 
this act the vexed question was finally put to rest, though not 
until after a bitter fight had been made on both sides of the 
question. The removalists were naturally jubilant over their hard 
won victory, and expressed themselves in sundry songs and dit- 
ties, couched in language not the most complimentary of their 
vanquished foes. One of these, entitled, "Lament Over Chester's 
Mother," was originally published in the West Chester Directory 




LE\'I G. McCAULEY 



AIS'D ITS PEOPLE. 879 

for 1857, and is reiiroduced in Fntlier and Cope's History of Ches- 
ter County. Its length precludes its insertion in this history. 

On the other hand the people of Chester were equally com- 
plimentaiy toward their friends in West Chester, their new town 
being thus described in an address to the Legislature: "That ele- 
gant and notorious place vulgarly called the Turk's Head (by some 
called West Chester), a place as unfit for the general convenience 
and much more so than any one spot that might be pointed out 
within ten miles square, of the above-described place (except to- 
ward the New Castle line)." 

The new countj' building having been completed and made 
ready for occupancy, an act was passed by the Assembly Sep- 
tember 25, 1786, authorizing the sheriff of the county, William 
Gibbons, to remove the prisoners from the old jail in Chester to 
the new jail in West Chester, or in Goshen Township, and to in- 
demnify him for the removal. The old public buildings at Chester 
were finally sold to William Kerlin on March 18, 1788; but after 
the organization of Delaware County, which followed as a result 
of this removal of the county-seat, the same public buildings were 
repurchased by that new county from Mr. Kerlin. 

The seat of justice having thus been secured, the people de- 
termined that Turk's Head should be dignified by a title becoming 
its newly acquired importance, and on March 3, 1788, the Legis- 
lature of the State converted a certain disti'ict of country into a 
county town. This town was about one and one-quarter miles 
square, and included six or eight small farms. The name West 
Chester was then given to it. The iieople of old Chester, down 
by the river Delaware, now themselves became dissatisfied be- 
cause the county-seat by its removal had become so distant from 
them; and, as a consequence of this dissatisfaction, the Legisla- 
ture, upon their petition, in which they stated their desire to be 
relieved of the great inconvenience of having to go so far to the 
county-seat, erected the borough of Chester and the southeastern 
52 



880 CHESTER COUNTY 

part of the county into a new county, the act which accomplished 
this purpose being passed September 26, 1789, this new county 
being called Delaware, and by its erection revenge had been fully 
wreaked on the people in the northern part of the county. 

While the question as to whether it was wise to so divide 
the ancient county of Chester in this way, it may not be improper 
to state that after all there was but little gained in the way of 
saving distance in going to the county-seat on the part, of the 
people of Delaware County, as a glance at the map will at once 
reveal; and as the county at that time had a population of only 
9,483 the burdens of supporting the organization of the new 
county made it for a time at least somewhat of an expensive lux- 
ury, particularly as the people were then quite poor, not having 
recovered from the losses and destruction of the (then) late Rev- 
olutionary War. 

The people of West Chester, having accomplished their design 
of securing the county-seat, began in greater earnest than ever 
to improve their town, and not long afterward began to aspire to 
corporate privileges. On March 28, 1789, the town was erected 
into a borough by an act of the Legislature. From this time on. 
however, the place seemed to grow very slowly, perhaps because 
of the slow development of the surrounding country, and during 
the succeeding twelve years of the town's histoi'y the population 
increased scarcely more than a hundred. In 1800 it was 374. 

Following are the names of the burgesses of West Chester 
from the time of the first election in 1799 down to the present 
time: William Sharpless, elected in 1799; Jacob Ehrenzeller, in 
1800; Philip Derrick, in 1801; Jacob Ehrenzeller, 1802; Richard 
M. Hannum, 1803; Joshua Weaver, 1804 and 1805; William Ben- 
nett, 1806; William Sharpless, 1807; Emmor Bradley, 1808; 
George Worth, 1809; Joshua Weaver, 1810; William Sharpless, 
1811; Jacob Ehrenzeller, 1812 and 1813; Joseph McClellan, 1814; 
Daniel Hiester, 1815, 1816 and 1817; Jacob Ehrenzeller, 1818 to 
1824; Ziba Pyle, 1825; Jacob Ehrenzeller, 1826; Ziba Pyle, 1827 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 88 1 

to 1830; Thomas S. Bell, 1831 to 1833; William Williamson, 1831 
and 1835; William Everhart, 1836 and 1837; Thomas S. Bel!, 
1838; Joseph J. Lewis, 1839 to 1813; William Williamson, 1811; 
Uriah V. Pennypacker, 1815 and 1846; William Darlini>ton, 1847; 
Uriah V. Peunvpacker, 1848 and 1849; Francis James, 1850; 
James H. Bull, 1851; Townsend Eaohus, 1852 to 1854; Joseph P. 
WMlsou, 1855 to 1858; William B. Waddell, 1859-60; Henry S. 
Evans, 1861; William Darliujiton, 18()2-65; Wayne MacVeagh, 
1866; Jefferson Shaner, 1867-77; S. G. Williams, 1878; Dr. J. B. 
Wood, 1879-86; Marshall S. Way, 1887-97; C. Wesley Talbot, 1897. 

Clerks— Joshua Weaver, 1799-1801; Isaac Darlington, 1802; 
Nathan Sharpless, 1803-04; Emmor Bradley, 1805-07; Joshua 
Weaver, 1808-09; Reuben Eachus, 1810; David Townsend, Jr., 
1811; John AY. Townsend, 1812; John Wooley, 1813; David Towns- 
end, 1814; Harper Pearson, 1815-16; Joshua Weaver, 1817-27; 
David Townsend, 1828-35; John Marshall, 1836-38; William Will- 
iamson, 1839-41; Walter Hibbard, 1842-44; E. D. Haines, 1845-51; 
J. B. Jeffries, 1852-54; William kS. Kirk, 1855; John J. Piukertou, 
1856-61; William V. Husted, 1862-65; George M. Bupert, 1866-83; 
Frank P. Darlington, 1884; Charles B. Lear, 1885; Walter A. 
McDonald, 1886-87; William S. Underwood, 1888-98. 

Treasurers — Down to 1840 the clerks and treasurers appear 
to have been the same person; John Marshall, 1840-43; John But- 
ter, 1844; W. Townsend, 1845-49; J. Smith Futhey, 1850-53; A. Mar- 
shall, 1854; James H. Bull, 1855; Clement Darlington, 1856; Will- 
iam .S. Kirk, 1857-58; John J. Pinkertou, 1859-63; William V. 
Husted, 1864-66; George M. Rupert, 1867-84; Alfred P. Smith, 
1884-87; W. D. Groff, 1887-88; William S. Underwood, 1888-98. 

A system of waterAvorks was established by the borough of 
West Chester in 1841, a repoi-t of the entire matter being made 
to the borough council in Jauuarj^, 1842, which showed that lots 
had been purchased of Anthony Bolmar and Joshua Hoopes, the 
former receiving .|!2,344.28, and the latter .f 200. The entire cost of 



882 CHESTER COUXTY 

the water system was 125,019.50. The committee Diaking this report 
consisted of John Marshall, Isaac Thomas and William Apple. 
In 1843 the water committee, composed of the first two of the 
above-named gentlemen and W. Townsend, expressed their grati- 
fication at the successful introduction of water into the borough, 
saying that it was generally admitted by the citizens and strangers 
that the water was as good and pure as could be anywhere found, 
and that the safety from fires was much greater than had been 
the case befoi'e. 

This pumping station was in the southwest corner of Marshall 
Square, where the monument to the Ninety-seventh Eegiment now 
stands. In 1854 a pumping station was erected at Fern Hill, on 
the Frazer branch of the railroad, a power pump, run by a sta- 
tionary engine, being i)ut in, and the water pumped into the res- 
ervoir in Marshall Square. In 1881-82 a distributing reservoir 
was constructed near Fern Hill Station, having a capacity of 2,000,- 
000 gallons, and at this time the reservoir in Marshall Square was 
abandoned, as was also the old jtumping station in the square. 
A new Worthington 1,000,000 gallon Cross compound engine was 
put in at Fern Hill at this time. The reservoir at Fern Hill Sta- 
tion is 102 feet above the pumping station, the distance between 
the two points being 31,000 feet, and the main leading from the 
pumping station to the reservoir being ten inches in diameter. In 
1891 an extra fifty horse power boiler was put in at Fern Hill, 
and in 1894 a new Barr tandem compound engine, capable of rais- 
ing 1,500,000 gallons in tAveuty-four hours, was set up. The two 
reservoii's at Fern Hill are capable of holding 2,000,000 gallons 
of water. 

About one mile above Fern Hill pumping station is a dam 
across Chester Ci'eek, where the borough owns twenty-five acres 
of land, the lake caused by this dam holding about 7,000,000 gal- 
lons, and being for use in emergencies. It was formed in the 
spring of 1893. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. S83 

The Milltowu Pumping Station, on tlie West Cliester and Phil- 
adelphia Eoad, is three miles east of West Chester. The settling- 
dam here is fed from Chester Creek, by a race 600 feet long. The 
pumping station is of stone, 44x67| feet in size, the double engine be- 
ing a high duty Corliss Cross compound, capable of raising into the 
reservoir, which is 13,000 feet distant and elevated above the 
pumping station 175 feet, 2,000,000 gallons iu twenty-four hours. 
This engine was put in in 1S97 to take the place of the old station 
about three miles above this plant on Chester Creek. The settling 
pond at the ililltown Station holds 3,500,000 gallons. The cost 
of this station, together with its equipment, was |41,000, and the 
main connecting this station with the reservoir, which is about 
fifty feet above the average level of the city of West Chester, is 
twelve inches in diameter, and there is a main leading directly to 
West Chester from the Milltown Station, fourteen inches in diam- 
eter. 

The original plan of the village of West Chester consisted of 
four squares, with two principal streets crossing in the center. 
Yet, strange as it may appear, these streets were not made to 
cross each other at right angles. That the streets should run at 
an angle with the meridian of longitude and pai'allel of latitude 
on which the town is located is not strange, since all the boundary 
lines within the original Chester County, including Delaware, run 
thus obliquely, the same remark applying to the boundary lines 
of farms and estates. This is probably to be accounted for by 
the fact that the Delaware Eivei*, along the front of William Penn's 
province of Pennsylvania, flows iu a southwesterly direction, and 
the lines separating the several Indian purchases, so far as they 
were thus separated, run back into the interior generally at nearly 
right angles with the river. Still, it would seem more consonant 
with all ideas of taste and convenience in building fences and 
houses to have the main streets of the village run at right angles 
rather than at obtuse and acute angles. 



S84 CHESTER COUNTY 

At first the houses were built close to the street, and of course 
those so built iu the central part of the village still remain; but 
in 1829 several additional streets were opened up and new squares 
formed, and it was then that those building houses began to set 
them back from the street, leaving room in front of them for front 
yards and lawns. This was a great imjirovement, not only to the 
appearance of the village itself, but also to the convenience and 
comfort of the inhabitants, for it gave opportunity to plf^nt trees 
iu such way as to shade pedestrians from the scorching rays of 
the summer sun, and it also furnishes opportunity to beautify the 
streets and lawns in front of residences, as coiild not be done before. 

In 1838 a second enlargement of the town plat was made from 
the Matlock property on the northward side, the addition amount- 
ing to several streets and squares. Not long afterward a similar 
addition was made on the eastern side of the place, on the old Turk's 
Head or Patton estate; and still later a fourth addition was made 
on the northwest side by John Rutter. 

In 1841 a most important improvement was made, though of 
a different kind. This improvement consisted in the introduction 
of good water, by means of steam power, through the streets of 
the village, from the fine old Bath Spring to the northward, and 
in order to secure a further supply of A\ater, works were established 
on Chester Creek in 1854. 

In the way of recapitulating early events in the history of 
West Chester it may be stated that the municipality, iu 1802, es- 
tablished a small market-house in the rear of the public offices, 
but it was little used, owing to the market people preferring to 
call upon their respective customers rather than to wait for cus- 
tomers to call on them. In 1831 this small market-house was su- 
perseded by a larger building on Market Street, which was about 
100 feet long, and which was enlarged from time to time during 
the next twenty or twenty-five years to meet the increasing de- 
mands of trade. 



AXD ['1\S PEOPLE. 885 

The first foot pavement in West Chester was put down in 
1S09, in front of the property of Dr. William Darlington, rough 
flagstones being used, bricks not having then made their appear- 
ance in the borough or its vicinity. Ephraim Buffingtou imme- 
diately followed the example thus set, and he in turn was followed 
by William Hemphill, who procui'ed bricks for his pavement from 
abroad, and was thus the first to put down a brick foot pavement of 
any in the town. Mr. Hemphill's dwelling was on High Street, 
where afterward was erected the Bank of Chester County. Few 
followed these examples until the corporation, in 1823, began to 
build sidewalks, bricks being used generally, if not wholly. In 
1S29 and 1830 the two principal streets were macadamized. Gay 
and Church Streets, and good crossings provided. By 1857 almost 
all the sidewalks were well paved with brick, and the streets 
greatly improved. 

Marshall Square. — A valuable improvement was begun in 
1818, in the addition of a park to the city's attractions. This im- 
provement was made in pursiuxuce of the following ordinance 
I)assed b.y the borough autliorities: 

Whereas, It has been deemed expedient and proper to im- 
prove tlie public square, on which the upper reservoir connected 
with the waterworks of the borough is situated, by laying out 
the same in suitable walks, and introducing various oi*namental 
trees and shrubben'; and, whereas, it will be convenient and 
necessary to designate the said square by some appropriate name; 
and, whereas, the late Humphrey Marshall, of Chester County, 
was one of the most distinguished horticulturists and botanists 
of onr county, having established the second botanic garden in 
this Eepublic, and also prepared and published the first treatise 
on the forest trees and shrubs of the United States, and diffused 
a taste for botanical science, which entitles his memory to the 
lasting respect of his countrymen; therefore 

"Resolved, By the Burgesses and Assistant Burgesses of the 
Borough of West Chester, in council assembled, That the Public 



886 CHESTER COUNTY 

Square, aforesaid, shall forever hereafter be desiouated aud 
known by the name of 'The Marshall Square,' in commemoration 
of the exemplary character and scientific labors of our dis- 
tinguished fellow-citizen, the late Humphrey Marshall, of West 
Bradford Township, Chester County. 

"Passed March 13, 1848." 

Marshall Square contains about five and a half acres of 
ground, and is well filled with ornamental trees of many kinds, 
around and among which are fine gravel walks and drives. It 
was opened to the public in 1857, and at once became a popular 
pleasure resort for the people of the place, and a most interesting 
and attractive feature of the outskirts of the town. 

In 18.52 a company was formed for the purpose of introducing 
gas into the city, and from that time on to the present time this 
pleasant light has been in constant use. 

On the northwest corner of Marshall Square stands a fine 
monument to the soldiers of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania 
Regiment, which was dedicated October 29, 1887. A large num- 
ber of persons wa.s present on this occasion, as was also a large 
number of military and other organizations from Chester aud 
surrounding counties. The monument itself is fifty feet high 
from the bottom of the first base stone to the top of the soldier's 
head. It is of Eyegate granite, from South Kj'egate, Vermont. 
Its construction is as follows: 

Bases — 1st. 12 feet square by 1 foot thick. 

2nd. 10 feet 4 inches square, by 1 foot thick. 
3rd. 8 feet 8 inches square, by 1 foot thick. 
4th. 7 feet 2 inches square, by 1 foot thick. 

Plinths — 1st. feet square with molding on top, 2 feet thick. 
2nd. 5 feet 4 inches square, by 1 foot thick, cut 
with bases to relieve the columns. 

The die is a polished stone 3 feet 4 inches square and 4 feet 
high, with columns at the four corners, and on the four sides of 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 887 

the die are appropriate iuscriptions, the east side bearing the 
names of the field aud staff officers at the time of the organization 
of tlie regiment, as follows: 

Colonel, Henry E. Gnss; Lieut.-Col., Augustus P. Duer; Major, 
Galusha Pennvpaoker; t<urgeon, John R. Everhart, M. D.; Asst. 
Sur., George ^V. Miller, M. D.; Adjutant, Henry W. Carruthers; 
Quartermaster, David Jones; Chaplain, IJev. 'William E. White- 
head. 

The following statistics of the regiment are interesting in 
this connection: 



Total number of volunteers in 1861 1,089 

Total number of drafted men and substitutes 995 



Total number of men that belonged to the regiment . . 2,084 

Number killed in action 09 

Xumber that died of wounds 71 

Number that died of disease 160 



Total number of deaths 306 

Number that resigned 32 

Number discharged during period of service 502 

Number discharged at expiration of service 267 

Number transferred 98 

Number that deserted 151 

Number not on muster roll 15 

Total 1,065 

Number mustered 713 

Total 2,084 

The money with which this monument was erected was raised 
entirely within the members of the regiment, the fund being com- 
menced while the men were yet in the service, and accrued from 



888 CHESTER COUNTY 

the percentage leA-ied upon the sutler for the benefit of the regi- 
ment. On June 23, 1SG4, this fund amounted to |1,(S00, and a 
committee appointed to complete the fund, on April 7, 1867, con- 
tinued their labors until 3 88(5, when it amounted to .|5,000, and it 
was then decided to erect the monument. In this year the 
borough council of West Chester gave the association the north- 
west corner of Marshall Square, upon which to erect the monu- 
ment, and there it was erected, and dedicated as above narrated. 
In 1852 a company was formed with the view of establishing 
a convenient and beautiful place for the repose of the dead. The 
location selected is about a. mile and a half north of the village, 
and is known as Oaklands Cemetery. Drives and walks were laid 
out through the ground and graded, and other improvements were 
made by an engineer of taste and skill, and the cemetery was 
dedicated December 10, 18.j3. A considerable company was in 
attendance, and the services were both impressive and interesting, 
the principal address being made by the Honorable Samuel Rush. 
The dedication ode was written by George W. Pearce, and was 
as folloAvs: 

DEDICATION ODE. 

"Solemn and slow, with measured tread, 
We come to hallow for the dead, 

A calm and holy fame; 
Where sweet and undisturbed repose 
; Shall o'er the weary pilgrim close. 

When DeatJi shall round him reign. 

"Those arching trees and shadowy dells. 
Where nature's purest beauty dwells, 

A scene of tranquil bliss, 
We consecrate by rite and prayer, 
To human love, affection's tear. 

The last, the parting kiss. 



AND IT8 PEOPLE. 889 

"O sacred be this spot of earth! 
From foot profane and idle mirth, 

We ask it to be pure; 
For here shall molder into dust 
The good, the brave, the meek, the just. 

The noble, the obscure. 

"When death has beat his signal drum. 
Hither the sable train shall come. 

To giA'e the sleeper rest; 
While out from yonder village towers 
The knell shall float, like passing hours. 

And die amid the West. 

"Here shall the living heart repair. 
When the full tide of woe is there, 

To pour its note of wail; , 

And chasten'd and subdued by grief, 
Bhall drink those draughts of sweet relief. 

From streams that never fail. 

"Amid the Winter's blighting breath, . 
With Faith's uplifted eye, in Death, 

These sylvan shades we give. 
And wait the summons that shall call 
From forth its dark and gloomy pall 

The prisoned clay to live." 

Like all wide-awake villages and towns, West Chester very 
early appreciated the fact that there was danger of loss by fire, 
and so, in 1797, organized the West Chester Fire Company, which 
had its engine house at No. 26 North Church Street, and held its 
meetings on the last Satux'dayj)f each month. This one company 
appeared to be sufflcieut until 1833, when the Good Will Fire Com- 
pany was organized, and was incorporated in 1846. In 1857 it had 



890 CHESTER COUNTY 

its engine house at No. 44 North Church Street, aud held its meet- 
ings on the last Saturday evening of January, March and May, each 
year. 

In 1838 the Fame Fire Company was organized, aud incorpo- 
rated July 29, 1852, the date of organization being February 22, 
1838. In 1857 the engine-house of this company was at No. 49 East 
Market Street, and its meetings were held on the second Saturday 
evening of each month. This company celebrated the sixtieth 
anniversary of its organization Februai'y 22, 1898, the committee 
on banquet being John C. Heed, Edward Briuton, O. F. Grolf, 
Harry G. Johnson and William Cudlipp. 

The West Chester Board of Trade was organized as a result 
of several meetings held in November, 1887, the first of these 
meetings being held ou the 16th of the month. The president 
of these preliminarj- meetings was Marshall S. Way; the vice-pi'esi- 
deuts, Herbert P. Woi"th and George Achelis, and the secretary 
Eobert G. Dock. The organization of the Board was effected No- 
vember 30, with the following officers: Thomas Hoopes, presi- 
dent; Joseph W. Barnard and Marshall S. Way, vice-presidents; 
David E. Allen, secretary^, and L. Cary Carver, treasurer. The di- 
rectors were Frank P. Darlington, A. D. Sharpless, Plummer E. 
Jefferis, Abner Hoopes, D. M. McFarland, Herbert P. Worth, 
V\'illiam P. Sharpless, Charles W^. ISoberts and Marshall B. Matlack. 

For some time meetings were held in the council chamber, 
then in the Moore building ou Market Street. In its earlier years 
the organization held its meetings regularly each month, that is, 
the directors of tlie board, but the entire body came together only 
on special occasions. In recent years the directors have held their 
meetings only on special occasions. During the existence of the 
board it has, in an indirect Avaj', aided several industries to locate 
in West Chester, but its principal function has been to investigate 
the financial standing of such industries as might appear to desire 
to locate in this citv, and to recommend to the business men and 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 891 

capitalists those that were, after such iuvestigatiou, considered 
wortJiy of encouragemeut. It lias published pamphlets, setting 
forth the advantages of West Chester as an industrial center, and 
as a place of residence, and on one occasion brought a large num- 
ber of people from Philadelphia to make an investigation of these 
advantages. It originated the movement that led to the introduc- 
tion of manual training in the public schools of the town, and 
raised a fund bv subscription to aid in macadamizing a consider- 
able portion of the road from West Chester to Paoli, called the 
Paoli Eoad. On several occasions it has carried advertisements of 
the city in such publications as the North American Beview. 

While of recent years it canuot be said to have been as active 
as when first organized, which is in part owing to the discourage- 
ments to all classes of business caused by the depression of 1893- 
97, yet it continues, whenever occasion presents itself, to aid in 
the establishment of such industries as possess merit, and to pro- 
mote their prosperity, though not to the extent of advancing fuxids 
to any great extent. 

The present officers of the Board of Trade are as follows: 
Marshall B. Way, president; Frank P. Darlington and Jerome B. 
Gray, vice-presidents; Herbert P. Worth, secretary, and I. Gary 
Carver, treasurer. 

The West Chester Library Association was organized Feb- 
ruary 22, 1873, and was incorporated about the same time. Dur- 
ing the first year there were 101 stockholders, representing |1,160, 
which sum was invested in books, and on February 22, 1898, when 
the twenty-fifth anniversary was held, there were 272 stockholders. 
At first the annual dues of stockholders were |3 per year, and of 
subscribers, |5 per annum ; but there was only one small room used 
and no employe except the librarian, so that the expenses were 
light. Later tbe dues were reduced, of stockholders to |1 per an- 
num, and of subscribers to |3 per year. When the room at first 
occupied was needed by its owner, the lot on which the present 



892 CHESTER COUNTY 

building stands was presented to the association by Mrs. Hannah 
M. Darlington, the deed being dated September 15, 1886. The 
building was almost immediately afterward erected, and cost 
$6,000. 

As to the usefulness of the library, the following facts are 
indicative: In 1887, the first year of the occupancy of the present 
building, the number of books taken out was 5,970, while in 1895 
the number had increased to 12,380. The niimber of I'eaders in 
1887 was 896, while in 1895 this number had' increased to 6,011. 
There are now somewhat more than 3,000 volumes in the library, 
and the association subscribes for from fifteen to twenty periodi- 
cals. The expense of running the library is now about .$1,200 per 
annum. 

At the time of the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary 
of the organization of the association, a committee was appointed, 
consisting of Capt. R. T. Cornwell, Frank P. Darlington and John 
J. Piukerton, whose special duty it was to consult with the board 
of managers as to the future of the association and the library. 

A few weeks later the borough council of West Chester offered 
to appropriate $1,500 per annum toward the maintenance of the 
library, provided the library were made free to all residents of 
\Ye.st Chester, and on June 0, 1898, at a meeting held to consider 
the matter the offer of the council was accepted in such a way as 
to preserve the identity of the management. At this meeting the 
following officers were elected: President, Mrs. liachel L. Price; 
vice-president. Miss Margaret G. Townsend; secretary, Miss Han- 
nah A. Marshall; treasurer, Mrs. William P. Darlington. Six di- 
rectors were elected as follows: Mrs. Thomas Baird, Mrs. John 
R. Gilpin, Miss Sallie D. House, Mrs. William S. Kirk, Mrs. Richard 
G. Park, and Mrs. Joseph T. Rothrock. 

The West Chester Philosophical Society was organized about 
1878, through the active efforts of Dr. John R. McClure, Joseph J. 
Lewis and Charles H. Pennj-packer. In its membership it has 



AAW ITS PEOPLE. 893 

numbered nearly all the members of the bar, the judges of the 
cour-ts, and the ministers of the various churches, and many elo- 
quent and able lectures have been delivered before it, by various 
gentlemen from all parts of the country. Each lecture has been 
followed by a discussion, because it has a free platform, open for 
the discussion of every phase of every subject. Both men and 
women are admitted to membership, and its meetings are held 
on every Thursday evening, during nine months of the year. 

Marshall S. Way, one of the most prominent and popular citi- 
zens of West Chester, is a lifelong resident of the borough, being 
bom in the house in which he now resides. He is one of the citi- 
zens who has always been proud of his native town, and has striven 
for its welfare, always being identified with any step toward its 
progress and further development. He started business as a clerk 
in the hardware and groceiw store of Wood & Fairlamb, in the old 
Townsend property, corner of Gay and High Streets, and in a few 
years, with T. Elwood Townsend, bought out the business. From 
the grocery business Mr. AVay turned his attention to the coal and 
lumber business, and in 1867 was one of the partners in the pur- 
chase of the coal and lumber yard of Shoemaker & liobisou, in 
which business he later became associated with his brother, Sam- 
uel E. Way, under the name of Way Brothers. 

In 1877 Mr. Way started his real estate and loan business, 
which, together with insurance, he has followed to this time, and 
the success attained in these lines has made him well known 
throughout Chester County as one of its successful business men. 

A Republican in politics, he was admitted to the borough 
council in 1885, and in the following year was elected Chief Burgess 
of West Chester, a position which he held by successive yearly 
elections until the spring of 1897, when an Act of Legislature went 
into effect electing the Chief Burgess for a term of three years and 
not allowing him to succeed himself. Mr. Way is justly recog- 
nized as having been one of the best and most progressive chief 



894 CHESTER COUNTY 

officials of West Chester, and perhaps there never was a more 
popular candidate to run for the office, and in his party no opposi- 
tion was ever presented against him for the office of chief executive 
of the borough. 

December 25, 1867, he married Miss Anna E. Smedley, and to 
them have been born two sous, viz., Marshall Warren and Chan- 
ning. 

Mr. Way is a busy man, for, in addition to the care and over- 
sight of his large office business, he is vice-president of the First 
National Bank of West Chester, a director and member of the 
adjusting committee of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of 
Chester County, a trustee of the State Normal School of West 
Chester, and one of the directors of the Assembly Association of 
West Chester. 

The Jacobs family, of which Mr. Francis Jacobs is a member, 
and of whose father a portrait is herewith presented, is one of the 
most ancient and distinguished of Chester County. The founder 
of this family in America was John Jacobs of Perkiomen, who, 
together with his brother, Richard, came to America during the 
reign of Charles II and settled in the Province of Pennsylvania in 
the autumn of the same year in which William Penn obtained his 
grant, 1681. John and Eichard Jacobs were young Quakers, and 
came from England near the border of Wales, and may have been 
in fact Welshmen. Upon arriving in the proviuce they held 
patents for land from William Penn, which land they located in 
what is now Montgomery County. John settled on the Perkiomen, 
and Richard on the Schuylkill. John had six children, four sons 
and two daug'hters. 

One of these four sons Avas named John. He married Mary 
Hayes, by whom he had ten children, as follows: John, Richard, 
Israel, Joseph, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Hannah, Mary, Isaac and 
Jesse. Of these, John, born in 1722, died in 1782, was in the 
direct line of descent to Francis Jacobs. He maiTied Elizabeth 



AXD /7'.S' PEOPLE. 895 

Havanl. Hannah, the seventh of the above family, niarried David 
Eittenhoiise, the famous mathematician of the early history of this 
country. Israel, the third of the family, was a member of Con- 
gress in 1778. Jesse, the youngest, was a soldier during the Eevo- 
lutionary War, was at the battle of <Vdars, the taking of Bur- 
goyne, at the battle of Monmouth, at the battle of Braudywine, 
joined the Maryland brigade, was at the battle of Camden, at the 
battle of Guilford Court-house, at the battle of Cowpens, at the 
battle of Eutaw Spnngs, and would have been at the siirrender 
of Oornwallis but for the fact that he was taken ill on the march. 
He held a captain's commission and died a bachelor. Isaac was 
a Quaker preacher. 

The children of John and Elizabeth (Havard) Jacobs were 
four in number, viz., Benjamin, Hannah, John and Sarah. John 
and Elizabeth Jacobs lived on what was known as "Solitude 
Farm," in the Great Valley. John was a member of Council under 
the British Government for sixteen years in succession, and was 
the representative of his county. When the war of the Revolu- 
tion broke out he became a violent Whig, and this drew upon him 
the vengeance of the Tories, his house becoming a target for 
British cannon under General Knyphausen, whose soldiers were 
encamped on South Valley Hill. The light-horse tried to capture 
him, but he fled to the woods, where they dared not follow for fear 
of ambush. 

His son, John Jacobs, from whom these notes are taken, drew 
for General Washington a draft of the surrounding country, when 
encamped at Valley Forge. He procured commissions for several 
young men in the army, for his brother, Jesse Jacobs, for John 
McClellan, Benjamin Bartliolomew, John Davis and Colonel Hum- 
phreys. He was speaker of the first General Assembly of the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which began its sittings in Phila- 
delphia, November 28, 1776. AVhile in the performance of his 
duties his health failed, and he was taken home by his son, John 
53 



896 CHESTER COUNTY 

Jacobs, and died in 1782. He bad four obiklren, two sons and 
two daniibters, Jobn, Benjamin, Hannab and Sarab. 

Jobn Jacobs, eklest son of tbe above, married Mary Brinton, 
daugbter of Tlioma.s Hill Brinton of Dilwortbtown, Cbester 
County. During tbe Revolutionary War be bauled wounded sol- 
diers to Lancaster Hospital, and also Continental money. His 
brotber Benjamin was one of tbe signers of tbe (Continental money. 
He was born in 1757 and died in 1846, bis wife, Mary Brinton, being 
born in 1767 and died in 1848. Tbey were tbe parents of nine cbil- 
dren, viz.: Pbebe B.,Elizabetb, Sarab, Tbomas Hill Brinton, Cbristi- 
ana, George, Jobn, Josepb Brinton and Brinton. Of tbese cbildren 
Josepb Brinton Jacobs married Ann Bowen. He was born in 179S 
and died in 1861, and sbe died in 1870. 

Josepb Brinton Jacobs and Ann, bis wife, bad live cbildren, 
viz.: Mary B.; Jane Bowen, Francis, Emily and Kicbard Brinton. 
Josepb Brinton Jacobs was a prominent citizen of bis county, was 
a stancb Wbig and was always identified witli tbe old Wliig and 
modem Republican party. He was bigbly bonored by bis fellow- 
citizens, took part in all public movements desianed to benefit 
tbe community at large and was elected to several of tbe town- 
sbip offices. In 1835 be was elected county treasurer, and served 
two years. He lived in Cbester Valley, and during bis life was 
esteemed for bis public spirit and bigb-toued moral cbarcter. 
Wben he died be was mourned by a large circle of relatives and 
friends. 

Francis Jacobs, of West Cbester, Pa., is tbe tbird cbild of Josepb 
Brinton and Ann (Bowen) Jacobs. Previous to bis removal to West 
Cbester be was engaged in the iron commission business in Pbila- 
deli^bia. He is one of tbe directors of the First National Bank of 
-West Cbester. • During tbe Civil War be was actively engaged in 
filling the different drafts made by tbe military authorities for 
tbe Union army, on his township. East Wbiteland, from which 
township numerous young men had volunteered, and which had 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 897 

the credit of being the first township in the county to fill its 
quotas. Mr. Jacobs is at present residing in the city of West 
Chester. 

He married Jane Brinton .Johnson, daughter of Edward and 
Ruth P. .Johnson, of Philadelphia. Francis Jacobs and his wife 
have tlie following children: Carrol Brinton Jacobs, an attorney 
at law of West Chester; Florence Bowen .Jacobs, living at home, 
and Francis Brinton Jacobs, a medical student. 

The Chester County Hospital was incorporated in 1892 as the 
West Chester Hospital, under an act of Assembly, approved April 
29, 1874, the name being changed to the Chester County Hospital, 
under a decree of tlie Court of Common Pleas, made August 7, 1893. 
The corporation has no capital stock, and its yearly income, other 
than from real estate, was limited to |100,000. The board of man- 
agers consists of fifteen members, those for the first year having 
been William P. Sharpless, Dr. J. T. Bothrock, Miss M. G. Town- 
send, William Seattergood, Dr. George M. Philips, George B, 
Thomas, Lydia W. House, E. T. Cornwell, Miss Mary H. Hartshorne 
and Thomas B. Taylor, all of West ('hester; J. Preston Thomas, 
^^'hitford; Mrs. Bichard Darlington, East Bradford; Mrs. C. W. 
Eoberts, East Bradford; Bichard G. Parke, Wesr Goshen, and Dr. 
T. E. Parke, Downingtowu. On .June 2, 1898, an act was passed by 
the Assembly, making an appropriation of .f 5,000, or so much there- 
of as might be necessary, for the completion of the building, and of 
f2,000, or s<j much thereof as might be necessary, for the furnish- 
ing of the building. This hospital is open to all classes of patients 
without regard t(j pecuniarj- conditions, color or creed, so long as 
there is accommodation for the applicant. The coi-poration is com- 
posed of three classes of membei's: 

First — Life members, or those who pay in cash to the treas- 
urer flOO or more. 

Second — Perpetual members, or suth institutions or com- 
panies incorporated or organized under the laws of Pennsylvania, 



898 CHESTER COUNTY 

and iiniucorporated companies or firms, as pay to the treasurer 
flOO; and 

Third — Annual members, or such institutions or comjjanies 
incorporated or unincorporated, firn\s and persons, as pay annually 
to the treasurer the sum of tive dollars. 

A contribution of |2,500 constitutes the endowment of a per- 
petual bed. 

The property purchased upon which to erect the hospital 
buildings was located on the northwest side of Marshall Square, 
375 feet front, and 175 feet deep. It had belonoed to Mr. T. P. 
Apple, and the purchase price was |4,000, of which Mr. Apple 
donated |200. The erection of the building was commenced im- 
mediately after the purchase was made, the contract having been 
given to Mr. William Burns, and ground was broken October 1, 
1892. On February 28, 1893, the board of managers held their 
first meeting in the building. On March 1, 1893, Miss Mary (i. 
Marshall, head nurse and superintendent, took charge of the hos- 
pital, and on the same day the first patient was received. l»ui- 
ing the first three months there were received twenty-three 
patients. Numerous donations were made to the hospital during 
its first year, in money and necessary articles, the largest one 
being .i?G,000 in money by Mrs. Henry P. Morris, for the endowment 
in perpetuity of a ijrivate room as a memorial of her husband. 

The main building was completed in December, 1893, and oc- 
cupied during the month, and at the end of the year twenty beds in 
the wards and four private rooms were in readiness. Miss Mary G. 
Marshall resigned her position on March 1, 1893, as also did Miss 
Marian Pusey, assistant nurse. Mrs. Tola L. Car))euter, a gradu- 
ate of tlie Philadelphia Hosi^ital, succeeded to the position of head 
nurse and superintendent. During the first A'ear there were en- 
dowed four beds, by Mrs. Sarah T. Bull, Miss Anne Bull, Mrs. 
Mary T. .Jones, and Mrs. James C. Smith, respectively. The build- 
ing fund was increased through the efforts of the Dailv Local 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 899 

News, whirl] tliroiigh an advertisement iu its columns raised the 
sum of •'if 1,400, iu recognitiou of which, assistance a bed received 
the name of the Daily Local News bed. The average expense of 
maintaining the hospital diirlng' its first year was |250 per month. 

During the year ending June 1, 1895, there were received 273 
patients, 122 operations were performed, and sixteen deaths 
occuri'ed. St. Agnes' Catholic Church contributed •'ii!729.55, a single 
(Sunday's offering, and the Fame Fire Company of ^Yest Chester 
provided an ambulance, which made its first trip iu September, 
1894, and during the i*emainder of the year ending June 1, 1895, 
conveyed sixty-four patients. In April, 1895, IVfrs. lola T. Carpen- 
ter resigned her position, and was succeeded by Miss Marion 
Forde, a graduate of Johns Hopkins Training School. During the 
year tlie Women's Auxiliary raised for the use of the hospital 
11,950.72. 

During the year ending June 1, 1890, Mrs. Sarah T. Johnson 
of Philadelphia endowed and furnished a ]n'ivate room in memory 
of her husband, and a legacy of |1,000 was left by Miss Sarah S. 
Scattergood. Many other donations were made, and the endow- 
ment fund then invested in the name of the hospital amounted to 
123,000. In August, 1895, Miss Marion Forde resigned her posi- 
tion, and was succeeded by Miss Julie King. In July, 1895, Mrs. 
Sarah 11. Bull and Ifev. William L. Bull of Whitford, Cliester 
County, offered to erect an annex ward to the hos])ital in memory 
of their daughter and sister. Miss Anne Bull, which offer was ac- 
cepted, and in October of tlie same year Mr. and Mrs. Bull made 
the gift of a secoud annex, similar to the first, to be erected as a 
memorial to Mrs. Bull's sister. Miss Jane Thomas. By the gift of 
•112,000 the board of managers found themselves in a position to 
carry out the original plan of finishing the hospital, witli a large 
central building, and a wing at each side. The average sum neces- 
sary to maintain the hospital had increased to between .f600 and 
•1700 per month, toward whicli the state granted .f270 per month. 



900 CHESTER COUXTY 

And the Women's Auxiliarj- continued to be of <ireat assistance to 
the institution, particularly in the way of securing the means of 
support. 

Tlie increase in the usefulness of the hospital is seen by the 
statement that during the first year there were received 139 pa- 
tients; the second year, 232; the third year, 292, and the fourth 
year, 445. In April, 1897, a clinical and bacteriological laboratory 
was established through the generosity of Dr. Thomas D. Dunn, 
who was in fact the originator of the hospital, and a small build- 
ing was erected for the reception of such cases as required isola- 
tion. 

During the year ending June 1, 1898, there were received into 
the hospital wards 557 cases, and besides these 60 occupied private 
rooms, nmking a total of (!17 i>ersous received in the hospital. In 
April, 1898, Kev. William L. Bull offered tO' present to the hospital 
a building for a nurses' home, and as a memorial to his mother, 
Mrs. Sarah E. Bull, deceased, who had intended to make the dona- 
tion herself. This generous offer was accepted, and ground was 
purchased bade of the property on which to erect the building. 
The Women's Auxiliai'y contributed to the treasury f3,624 during 
the year. Mrs. H. P. Xorris offered to endow a bed in memory of 
Miss Virginia Norwood, which offer was gratefully accepted. 

After the declaration of war with Spain the board of man- 
agers offered to the Governor of Pennsylvania the resources of 
the hospital for use in caring for such sick or wounded soldiers as 
might be in need of aid. 

The treasurer's report for the year ending June 15, 189S, 
showed that the expenses of the institution had been |18,555.42. 

The officers of the hospital have been from the first, Mr. R. T. 
Cornwell, president; Miss M. G. Townseud, secretary, and William 
P. Sharpless, treasui'er. 

This institution is one in Avhich all the people of Chester 
County take great pride, as it is of increasing usefulness, and i.s 



AND /^/VV PLOPLE. 901 

well appoiuted in every respect, and most excellently managed. 
The one necessity remaining to be supplied is a comfortable annex 
or ward for those afflicted with contagious diseases, who noAV 
have to be taken to the county almshouse. 

During the year 1892-93 a Women's Hospital Auxiliary Soci- 
ety was formed, the membership of which extends over the county. 
Local branches were organized in different parts of the county, 
that at Kennett Square being the first of the county auxiliary. 
Mary Bacon Parke was the first president^ and Martha G. Thomas, 
first secretary. In the year 189.S-94 there were eight branches; in 
1894-95, there were eleven; and in 1895-96, twelve. 

In connection with, the hospital is a training school for nurses, 
established in 1898. During the first year there were seven nurses 
in training, and during tJie seccmd year ten, of whom two grad- 
uated in 1895, viz.: Miss Lilj- North and Miss Nellie Schwarder. 
In 1896 there wei'e four graduates; in 1897, four, and in 1898, 
eight. 

The first Masonic lodge originally chartered in Chester County 
was No. 50, which was permitted to hold meetings within five miles 
of the sign of the "White Horse." The petition to thus hold meet- 
ings was granted December 6, 1790, and there were twelve charter 
7n embers. There had, however, been a lodge of this fraternity pre- 
viously organized in Chester, but it was practically a branch of No. 
11, Newtown, Bucks County, which was constituted August 17, 
1768, and surrendered its charter December 24, 1781. A new war- 
rant was issued to branch No. , and this branch held meetings 

at a place called "Halfway House," Londongrove Township, Chester 
County, February 16, 1782. This was surrendered and renewed 
March 7, 1791. 

West Chester Lodge, No. 322, was the first chartered within 
the jurisdiction of lodge No. 50, after this lodge was dissolved, its 
charter being dated March 1, 1858. It had eight charter members, 
of whom four had been members of No. 50. 



902 CHESTER COUNTY 

West Chester Lodge, No. 42, Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, was chartered September 26, 1831. On the 2Sth of March, 
1832, this lodge erected a building on a lot it had purchased on 
Church Street, but the enterprise was not prosperous, the property 
was sold by the sheriff, and the lodge soon afterward was dissolved. 

Pocahontas Lodge, No. 316, was instituted June 19, 1848, and 
in 1871 this lodge purchased Cabinet Hall on Church Street, re- 
modeled the building, and in the third story of this building holds 
its meetings weekly on Thursday evenings. 

Canton Bi'audywiue, No. 27, Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. F., 
meets on the first and fourth Friday's of each month. 

Florentina Lodge, No. 203, D. of K., I. O. O. F., meets every 
Friday evening in the postoffice building. 

General Marion Encampment, No. 91, I. O. O. F., meets alter- 
nate Fridays at No. 20 West Gay Street. 

Benjamin Banuaker Lodge, No. 14, Knights of Pythias, meets 
in Masonic Hall, on the second and fourth Thursdays of each 
month. 

Brandywine Council, No. 758, Jr. O. U. A. M., meets every 
Monday evening at No. Ill North High Street. 

Kenehha Council, No. 248, O. U. A. M., meets every Thursday 
evening at No. 20 East Market Street. 

West Chester Council, No. 632, Jr. O. U. A. M., meets every 
Friday evening at No. 21 North Church Street. 

Court No. 4, Heroines of Jericho, meets on the first Wednes- 
day of each month at Masonic Hall. 

Encampment No. 25, U. Y. L., meets over the postoffice on the 
first Thursday of each month. 

.Junior O. U. A. M., Funeral Benefit Association of (_'hester 
County, meets at No. 28 West Market Street. 

Orpheus Court of Chlanthe, No. 5, A. C. C. K. of P., meets on 
the first and third Thursdays of each month in Masonic Hall. 

Peace and Plenty Lodge, No. 2581, G. U. O. O. F., meets every 
first and third Mondavs of each month in Masonic Hall. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 905 

Pilgrim ('hapter, No. 11, E. A. M., meets on the last Saturday 
of each mouth iu Masouic- Hall. 

Harmony Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M., meets on the first Satur- 
day iu each month iu Masonic Hall. 

Howell (Chapter, Xo. 202, F. i*c A. M., meets every Monday 
after the full moon in the Farmers' National Bank building. 

Stella Lodge, No. 131, K. of I*., meets every Monday evening 
at No. 21 North High Street. 

Uppowac Tribe, No. 17, I. O. II. M., meets every Wednesday 
evening at No. Ill AVest Market Street. 

Washington Camp, No. ()73, P. O. S. of A., meets iu Postottiee 
building every Mondaj'. 

West Chester Castle, No. 22(», K. <i. E., meets every Friday 
evening in the Assembly building. 

AVest Chester Conclave, No. Gl, I. O. H., meets at No. 21 North 
High Street. 

West Chester Council, No. 1003, E. A., meets at No. Ill West 
Market Street every second and fourth Thursday of each month. 

West Chester Lodge No. 322, F. & A. M., meets in the Farmers' 
National Bank building every Monday on or before the full moou. 

West Chester Lodge, No. 42, I. O. O. F., meets every Tuesday 
evening at No. 24 West Gay Street. 

General George A. McCall Post, No. 31, G. A. Iv., meets every 
Friday evening in the Postoffice building. 

George F. Smith I'ost, No. 330, G. A. P., meets evei\y Tuesday 
evening at No. 345 East Miner Street. 

The J. C. Smith Memorial Home, at Oakbourne, Chester 
County, consists of property bequeathed by the late Mrs. Heloiese 
Drexel Smith to the Protestant Episcopal Mission as a retreat for 
white women tAventy-oue years of age and upward, who are ill 
and convalesient, "free aud without charge." The funds for its 
maintenance were also bequeathed by Mrs. Smith. The house, 
which is a three-story stone building, is oue aud a half miles 



904 CHESTER COUXTT 

from West Chester, on the road to Media, aud is surrounded by 
thirty-six acres of ground, twenty-four of whioli are woodland, 
and the remainder in a high state of cultivation. On these grounds, 
which are well laid out, is a lookout tower commanding a A'iew 
of the surrounding country to a distance of fifteen miles. 

The house is so arranged that it will accommodate twenty- 
one women, and another building has been fitted up to accommo- 
date six women, so that there are now accommodations for twenty- 
seven. The convalescents are allowed to remain two weeks, and 
in special cases four weeks. Up to March 31, 1897, there had 
been admitted 118 patients, and to June 8, 1898, there had been 
admitted 290. The Home was opened with appropriate ceremo- 
nies May 9, 1896, and religious services held for the first time 
May 24, 189r). Tliese services have since been held regularly 
every Sunday morning, according to the rites and forms of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church. The institution opened Avith Mrs. 
Matilda B. Steven.son, formerly of St. Stephen's Parish, Philadel- 
phia, as matron, and Mrs. Martha Merchant as assistant matron, 
both of wliom still retain their respective positions. The health 
of the patients is attended to by physicians from West Chester, 
Dr. I'. C. Iloskins and Dr. Dunn being the physicians in charge 
until the death of the latter, and since Dr. Hoskins alone. 

The Pennsylvania Epileptic Hospital and Colony Farm, lo- 
cated one mile from Oakbourue Station, on the Philadelphia, Media 
and West Chester Eailway, sprang from the Hospital of St. Clem- 
ent's Church, which was organized in 1880, and located on Cherry 
Street, Philadelphia, between Twentieth and Twenty-first Streets. 
In 1892 this hospital became devoted almost exclusively to the 
the treatment of epileptics, and its accommodations were soon 
taxed beyond their limits. The management therefore decided to 
found a colony of epileptics, and purchased tlie land near Oak- 
bourne Station for a little more than |1 4,000, the amount neces- 
sary being contributed by Miss Eebecca Coxe and Eckley B. Coxe, 



AXD IT^ PEOPLE. 905 

Jr. For the erection of the buildiugs Henry C. Lea donated |50,000 
and money for other necessary work was contributed by James 
Dnndas Lii^jjincott, William Garrett and others. 

Dr. Wharton Sinkler is president of this corporation, Charles 
M. Lea vice-pi*esident, J. Howard ('limenson treasurer, and Dr. 
Samuel W. Morton secretary, and J. F. Edgerly, M. D., superin- 
tendent. 

There are 110 acres in the farm, and there are now thi-ee 
buildings, an administration building with a cottage on each side. 
Besides these there is one tenement house and other buildings 
needed for the successful management of a model farm. The 
demand for accommodations such as supplied by this hospital are 
greatly in e.xcess of its capacity, each cottage being capable of 
holding from twelve to eighteen patients, the number now being 
cared for being forty-three. 

Fallowfleld Township was originally a very large one. It lay 
in the middle west part of the county. It is believed to have 
been named after Lancelot Fallowfleld, of Great Strickland, West- 
moreland County, England, who was one of the first to purchase 
land froua William Penn. John Salkeld, a noted preacher of the 
Society of Friends, came from the same part of England in which 
Fallowfleld lived, bought the land from him, and took it up in 1714. 
In 1718 there were only three taxables in the township, viz.: 
Thomas ^^'()(Mldell, George Lenard and Kobert Holly. From this 
time on until 1728 Fallowfleld and Sadsbury formed one assess- 
ment district, and then the boundaries were defined by order of 
the coui-t, as follows: Northward with East Sadsbury, eastward 
with the settled limits of Bradford, southward with Marlborough, 
to the northeast corner of Penn's Manor, thence west 800 perches, 
and northwest to Octoraro Creek, and thence up the same to Sads- 
bury. In 1743 the township was divided by the north branch of 
Doe Eun, since called Buck Run, and in 1841 the line between 
West Fallowfleld and Upper Oxford Township was run by order 



9o6 CHESTER COUNTY 

of the court, in order to ascertain its exact location. As a result 
some farms which had previously been supposed to be in Upper 
Oxford were found to be in West Fallo^^'field. 

In 1853 West Pallowtield was divided and the eastern division 
called Highland Township, the western division retaining the old 
name. Thus Highland Township comes in between East and West 
Fiillowfield, which is not tlie case with any other townsbips in 
tlie county bearing the same general iiauie. 

Honeybrook Township was formed in 1789 from the western 
part of West Nantmeal Township, settlements having been made 
there as early as 1718 or 1720, when surveys were made at the 
head of the western branch of the Brandywine for Jeremy Piersol, 
James Gibbons, John Adams, William Cloud, Henrj' Batterton, 
William Buffiugton, Thomas Baldwin, Kichard Parker, William 
and Jeremiah Dean, Matthew Wilson and Edward Harris. 

The borough of Honeybrook was incorporated August 17, 1891, 
and the first council was as follows: Stephen Long, D.H.Buchanan, 
James Buyers, John E. Finger and W. W. McConnell. The bur- 
gesses have been as follows: John H. De Haven, 1891-94; John W. 
Morton, 1894-97; John E. Finger, 1897-1900. 

Secretaries — A. M. Anderson, 1891-97; S. Marple Lemmon, 
1897-1900. 

Treasurers— John W. Morton, 1891-94; Stephen Long, 1895; 
John E. Finger, 1895-97; John W. Morton, 1897-1900. 

The members of the council at the present time (1898) are as 
follows: John II. De Haven, L. R. Guiney, Thomas J. Hughes, 
JaV'ob Lemmon, William Lemmon, James McConnell and G. W. 
Piersol. 

On May 11, 1890, the borough of Houeybrook accepted a prop- 
osition with regard to the establishment of a system of water- 
works, the cost of which was to be |12,500, and purchased a small 
property on the side of Welsh Mountain, on which there was a 
spring having a flow of seveutj'-six gallons per minute. A reser- 



/ 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 907 

voir was coustructed capable of holdiui;- 1,200,0(10 gallons of water 
and from this reservoir the borough is bountifull}- supplied with 
the best of spring water, all of the inhabitants, except eight fami- 
lies, having put water in their houses. The pressure is thirty- 
seven i^ounds and gives force sufficient to throw the water over 
the tops of the highest buildings, so that now a lire department 
is not needed. The charge is five dollars per sj^igot and the pay- 
ments on the bonds amount to ftiOO per annum. 

A fire company was organized about 18S7, which did good 
work until the introduction of the water into the village, as above 
recorded, but at present it is practically out of date. 

The tillage of Hamorton is in the northeast part of Kennett 
Township. In the early days of the county it was known by the 
name of Logtowu. Pi^evious to 1830 it contained less than half 
a dozen houses, the name Hamorton having been given to the 
place when the post office was established in 1829. About 1814 
a stock company built a hall which has since been used for various 
purposes, lectures by eminent men, concerts, etc. There are nearly 
fifty houses in Hamorton, and its people have always been noted 
for patriotism, morality and temperance. This village is undoubt- 
edly one of the pleasantest spots in Chester County. 

Kennett Township lies in the southern part of the county, 
bordering on the circular line and being between the townships 
of New Garden and Pennsbury. It originally included all of the 
latter township and a part of Pocopson. It is thought that the 
name was suggested by Francis Smith, who came from Devizes, 
Wiltshire, England, in wliich county there is a t()wn by the name 
of Kennett. Francis Smith, in 1(>8C>, took up 200 acres of land 
within the original limits of the township at the mouth of Pocop- 
son Creek. Smith's original purchase amounted to 500 acres, and 
300 acres were surveyed to him afterward at a rate of one penny 
per acre per annum. The settlement of this territory appears to 
have proceeded slowly, for in 1703 tlie following amount of land 



908 CHESTER COUNTY 

was returned by Isaac Taylor as having been surveyed: Francis 
Smith, 140 acres; Heni-y Pierce, 100 acres; Robert Way, 425 acres; 
Thomas Hope, 310 acres; George Harian, Israel Helm, and the 
Chandlers, 850 aci*es; total, 2,215 acres. Afterward Isaac Taylor, in 
addition to the above resuiweys, made new surveys for the follow- 
ing persons: Peter Dicks, 554 acres; John lIoi)e, 200; George Har- 
lan, 500; total, 1,254 acres, in 1702; Isaac Few, 000, and William 
Huntley, 200, in 1703, all of which was near the Bi'andywiue. 

An account of Letitia's Manor, which lay in part in tliis town- 
ship, maj^ be found on anotlier page in this work. 

Kennett Square was incorporated in 1855. It is on the line of 
the Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Bailroad in the midst of 
an exceedingly fertile section of the country. The village which 
had been known as Kennett Square from before the Revolution- 
ary War, formed the nucleus of the borough, the name first appear- 
ing about 1709, when William Dixson conveyed a piece of land 
to Joseph Musgrave, "near a place called Kennett Square." The 
scene of Bayard Taylor's "Stoi'y of Kennett is laid in Kennett and 
adjoining townships. 

Kennett Lodge, No. 475, F. and A. M., liolds its meetings eacli 
Thursday evening on or before the full moon, in Chalfant Block. 

Kennett Chapter, No. 275, K. A. M., meets in Chalfant Block, 
on the first ^^'ednesday after the full moon. 

Kennett Castle, No. 243, K. G. E., meets every Tuesday night, 
in Unicorn Hall. 

Kennett Council, No. 182, U. O. A. M., meets in Unicorn Hall 
every Thursday evening. 

Kennett Conclave, No. 207, I. O. H., meets in Swayue Block, 
on the second and fourth Monday evenings of each month. 

Division No. 2, A. O. H., meets in Unicorn Hall on the second 
Saturday evening of each month. 

Kennett Grange, No. 19, Patrons of Husbandry, meets in Uni- 
corn Hall, on Wednesday evening on or before the full moon. 



AND 77',s' PEOPLE. 509 

Keuuett Fii-e Company meets in the borouoh hall on tlie last 
Friday nijiht of each month. 

Kennett Square is well supplied with water, derived froin 
springs about a mile north of the borough. A great deal of 
money has been spent in procuring water, changes in the source 
of supply having been made from time to time, the present 
springs, the east branch of Ked Clay Creek, and of the west 
branch of Ked Clay Creek, having been at different times the 
source. The pumping station is half a mile north of the borough, 
or half way betAveen the borough and the springs which siip- 
ply the water, and there are two standpipes on the borough lot, 
which cost almost f20,000. Nearly every inhabitant in the borough 
takes water from the system, and the revenue that is derived by 
the borough treasury is about f4,000 per annum. 

The Kennett Electric Light, Heat and Power Company was 
incorporated in 1893, with W. W. Gawthrop president, John C. 
Yeatman treasurer, and X. P. Yeatmau secretary. The capital 
at first was $25,000, but it was increased to |oO,000 in 1896. The 
plant of this company is situated in the southwest part of the 
borough, and consists of a one-story brick building, 40x60 feet in 
size, Avith an equipment of tw(» 100-horse poAver boilers, a 150-horse 
power engine, and two dynamos sufficient to maintain 800 incan- 
descent lights each, each light of 16-candle poAver, and one dynamo 
of 300 incandescent lights of the same power. At present there 
are four arc lights on the streets, and about TO incandescent lights, 
Avhile in stores, churches and private lumses there are about 
2,000. From this plant goes out to Toughkennamon, AA'ondale and 
West Grove, electricity for lighting these villages, and other vil- 
lages are constantly calling for the same kind of light, but as yet 
the company has not the means to wire these other towns. 

The present council of Kennett Square is as follows: George 
E. Bowman, president; Dr. C. S. Reynolds, John Duncannou, 



9IO CHESTER COUNTY 

George W. Taft, F. T. MacDonald, H. D. Eutrilcen, and H. Willis 
Taylor. 

The Bavard Taylor Memorial Library was established Feb- 
ruary 10, 1894, several preliuiinary meetings having been previ- 
ously held. On the date given a board of trustees was elected, cuii- 
sisting of the following persons: William W. Polk, Joseph S. 
Heald, William F. Wiekersham, D. Duer Philips, Charles J. Pen- 
nock, and Edward Swayne. A lot was purchased on the corner of 
Broad Street and Apple Alley, upon which the building was 
erected, at a cost of .fGjTDl.oO, and it was dedicated September 12, 
1S9G. Alice W. Swayne is the librarian, and 5,39r) persons attend 
the reading department during the year 1897. The success of this 
library is assured. 

London Britain Township lies in the southern part of the 
county, and contains the triangle which extends down between 
Maryland and Delaware. A considerable portion of this township 
was originally included in the survej" of the lands for the Lon- 
don Company, an east and west line crossing the township about 
the latitude of Kimbleville, being the southern boundary of this 
tract. The township was at one time enlarged bj- taking a por- 
tion off from the west side of New Garden. The first settlers are 
believed to have been Welsh Baptists, who established a church. 
John Evans came from Radnorshire, in Wales, about 1700, and 
was one of the prominent men in his day. His son, John Evans, 
who died in 1738, held large tracts of land, and also fulling and 
grist mills on White Clay Creek, and there was formerly an In- 
dian village on this creek, near Yeatman's Mill. 

A petition for the organization of the township was presented 
to court in 1725, which was granted, Bichard Whiting being the 
constable, John Devonald supervisor of highways, and John 
Evans and Thomas Mon-is overseers of the poor. And in 177.3 
the court appointed Thomas Woodward, Levis Pennock and 
Joseph Musgrove to make a survey and ascertain the line of Lon- 
don Britain and New Garden Townships. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 9" 

Loudonderry ToAvnsliip was set. up in 1734, beino; separated 
from Xottiugham, and then included the territory from London- 
grove to the Octoraro River. About one-third of the township, as 
it is at the present time, was included in Fagg's Manor, elsewhere 
described. In 1754: Oxford ToAvnship was taken from the west 
side of Londonderry, and in 1819 it was again reduced in size, by 
the organization of Penu Township, taken from its southern side. 
A small part was added to it in ISOG, taken from Londongrove and 
West Marlborough. The settlers came originally and mainly from 
Ireland, which explains its name. 

Londongrove Township lies west of Xew Garden and East 
Marlborough Townships, and was settled as early as 1714 by 
Francis Swain, John Smith, Joseph Pennock, William Pusey and 
a few others. On August 12, 1099, William Penn sold to Tobias 
Collet, Daniel Quare, Henry Godney and Michael Russell, all of 
London, England, a large tract of land and granted a warrant 
for the location thereof August 17, 1699. The above-named per- 
sons admitted others into partnership with them and formed the 
London Company, the number of shares reaching ultimately 8,800 
and the shareholders numbering several hundred. This grant in- 
cluded a considerable portion of the present townships of New 
London, London Britain, East Nottingham, Penn and London- 
grove, the entire amount of land taken up by the company being 
65,000 acres, 17,200 acres of which were in Chester County, the 
rest being in Lancaster, Delaware and Bucks Counties. The pat- 
ent for the 17,218 acres in Chester County was granted June 25, 
1718. As in the case of lands in other townships, much of this 
land was leased for a term of years to early settlers, with stip- 
ulations that a certain number of acres should be cultivated or 
cleared and plowed each year. According to Joseph J. Lewis 
the rents usually charged were 40s. per 100 acres, but there were 
a few tracts of land sold by the company itself to different pur- 
chasers, from 1718 to 1720. The rest remained in the possession 
54 



912 CHESTER COUNTY 

of the company until about 1762, by which time the heirs of those 
who originally constituted the company had become so scattered, 
many of them being entirely unknown, that an act of Parliament 
was procured authorizing the sale of the land, and Dr. Fothergill,. 
Daniel Zachary, Thoas How, Devereaux Bowly, Luke Hinde, Kich- 
ard Howe, Jacob Hagan, Sylvanus Grove and William Heron 
were the agents appointed to superintend the sale, their attorneys 
in this sale being Samuel Shoemaker, Jacob Cooper and Joshua 
Howell, and each settler purchased the land on which he was then 
living. 

A large part of the settlers in Londongrove were members of 
the Society of Friends, among their names appearing the names 
of Allen, Chandler, Jackson, Lamborn, Lindley, Morton, Pusey, 
Scarlett, Starr and Underwood. 

In 1866 the line separating Londongrove and West Marl- 
borough was so altered that a small part of the northwest corner 
of Londongrove and the southwest corner of West Marlborough 
were attached to Londonderry Township, the territory thus an- 
nexed to the latter township including within its limits the famous 
old White Horse Tavern, in order that the inhabitants of the 
township might have a convenient place to hold elections. 

West Grove Avas incorporated as a borough January 29, 1894, 
the following oflicers being elected: Chief Burgess, John P. Chev- 
ney; Councilmen, John H. Turner, president; T. C. Moore, Hick- 
man W. Sparks, James A. Wilson, I. C. Jefferis and Isaac Martin. 
The secretary was John II. Strode, and treasurer, Walter W. 
Brown. Dr. C. F. Quimby was elected chief burgess in 1897 
for three years, the secretary and treasurer being re-elected then 
for the same period. The council elected in 1897 was as folloAvs: 
John H. Turner, T. C. Moore, I. C. Jefferis, Chester Reynolds, Eber 
HestoUj John P. Cheyney and E. C. Austin. 

The streets and business houses, as also many private resi- 
dences, are lighted by means of the incandescent light, received 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 9' 3 

from Kennett .Square. On the streets there are forty lights aud 
iu business and private houses about 125. This light was intro- 
duced in 1894, the same year of the incorporation of the town. 

West Grove is indebted to Joseph Pyle and his father-in-law, 
Milton Conard, for its water system, Mr. Pyle beginning this enter- 
prise in 1802, when he constructed a reservoir holding (5,000 gallons 
of water. His second reservoir, built in 1875, had a capacity of 
25,000 gallons. People gradually got into the habit of taking 
water from this system, and at length when new houses were 
erected they were so built that water was taken into them from 
the reservoir system. Mr. Pyle \nit in a hydraulic ram in 1878, 
and a second one in 1881. Later he put in two wind mills, and 
in 1881 he leased the water privilege on the farm adjoining that 
of his father-in-law on the north side of the town, bored a well 
213 feet deep, from which there was a flow of twenty' gallons 
per minute. In 1885 he put in a Dean steam pump, which was used 
until February, 1897, when he put in a gasoline engine, which 
pumps fifty gallons per minute. At the present time eighty-five 
families take water from this system and seventeen business 
houses. 

The borough of Avondale was incoroprated in February, 1894, 
and the following officers elected: Chief Burgess, W. R. Shelniire; 
Councilmen, W. J. Pusey, president; Kobert K. Mackey, Morris 
Watson, William Miller, John L. Hood and B. H. Chambers; Sec- 
retary, E. Pusey Passmore, and Treasurer, Edward Pusey. In 
1897 the following officers were elected: Burgess, August Brosius; 
Councilmen, W. J. Pusey, president; Dr. J. L. Paiste, Kobert K. 
Mackey, Joshua Thomas, Charles Y. Wilson, Morris Watson and 
Eber H. Greenfield; Secretary, Fred. Glenn, and Treasurer, E. 
Pusey Passmore. 

Avondale, like West Grove, receives its electric light from 
Kennett Square. This light was introduced here iu 1893, and 
now there are on the streets about forty lights, and in stores, 



914 CHESTER COUNTY 

churches, private residences, etc., there are about 500 others, mak- 
ing nearly 550 incandescent lights in all, ranging from 16 to 32 can- 
dle power. 

In Avondale there are two societies, viz.: One of the Patriotic 
Order of Sons of America, and a social club, the latter organized 
in 1893, and which maintains a lecture coux'se. Its work is highly 
appreciated and forms one of the most useful and delightful feat- 
ures of the social life of the place. 

W. J. Pusey & Co., the "Co." being James C. Pusey, built their 
flouring mill in 1893. It stands on the railroad about 600 feet 
west of the railway station. The building is 76x56 feet in size 
and three stories high and contains machinery of the most modern 
pattern, the roller process being used, and tlie capacity of the 
mill being 150 barrels of flour in twenty-four hours. 

Avondale Ice aud Cold Storage Company was incorporated 
in 1891, its first olficers being William F. Dowdall, president; 
Joel B. Pusey, vice-president; H. M. Carpenter, secretary, and E. 
Pusey Passmore, treasurer. The same persons have held these 
offices ever since. The plant is located on Pennsylvania, and con- 
sists of an ice plant capable of manufacturing fifteen tons per day, 
and of a storage house with a capacity of 500 tons. This com- 
pany has its own electric light plant. 

Marlborough Township lay in the southern part of the county, 
north of Kennett, New Garden and Londongrove. It was named 
from Marlborough, Wiltshire, England. It was laid out in part in 
1700, in right of jiui-chases made in England. It was organized as a 
township in 1704, Thomas W^ickersham being the first constable. 
Among the fir«t settlers were Joel Baily, Thomas Jackson, Caleb 
Pusey, Francis Swayne, John Smith and Henry Hayes. Joseph 
Pennock was one of the first in what is now West Marlborough, 
where he built Primitive Hall, wliich is still standing. In 1729 
the toAvnship was divided into East and West Mai'lborough. In 
East Marlborough he obtained a patent for land which included 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 915 

the present Peirce's Park, or Evergreen Glade, and the famed 
home of Bayard Taylor, Cedar Croft, is in East Marlborough, less 
than a mile north of Kennett Square. A farm formerly owned by 
William Chalfont in East Marlborough Township, near TJnionville, 
was named by him Clermont. In 1849 a part of this township was 
taken off in the formation of Pocopson, and in 1875 the line between 
West Marlborough on one side and Londonderry and Highland on 
the other was re-established by the court. 

Nautmeal Township lay in the northern part of the county, 
northeast of Houeybrook and bordering on Berks County. The 
name is derived from Nantmel, Radnorshire, Wales, whence came 
some of the early settlers, and this is the proper spelling. The 
meaning of the Welsh word is sweet stream, or honey brook. 
Surveys were made in 1717-19 at the head of the north branch of 
tlie Brandywiue for Tliomas Callowhill, Howell Powell, Edward 
Thomas, William Iddiugs, Thomas Kees, John Broomall, David 
Thomas, Daniel Moor, William Trego, John Moore, and Kichard 
and John Peirsol, and the tirst assessment was made in 1720. lu 
1722 the name Nantmeal first axjpears, when it contained eighteen 
taxables, among them being Samuel Nutt, noted as being one of 
the very first ironmakers in the country. 

In 1710 the township was divided into East and West Nant- 
meal, in which year there were 83 taxables in East Xantmeal, and 
123 in West Nantmeal. Originally the settlers were for the most 
part Welsh, but later the Scotch-Irish came up from the southern 
part of the county and settled in the western township. 

In 17S9 West Nantmeal Township was divided by the erection 
of Houeybrook Township, taken from the western part. In 18.'i2 
it was again divided by the erection of Wallace Township, and 
East Nantmeal was divided in 1812 by the erection of Warwick 
Township. 

New London Township lies in the southern part of the county 
north of Elk, and like Londongrove and London Britain, is be- 



91 6 CHESTER COUNTY 

lieved to have derived its name from the fact of its including a 
portion of the London Company's tract. In 1704 Abraham Emmitt 
purchased a square mile of land and had a mill on Elk Creek, one 
of the first in the neighborhood. Eobert Assheton had 500 acres 
of land to the north of Enimit's land, and Michael Harlan, in 171 i, 
had a tract of 900 acres surveyed. In 1720 several surveys were 
made in the northeastern part of this township — for Jeremiali 
Htarr, for Francis, Alexander, James and Patrick Moore, for S^u- 
sanna McCane, for William Reynolds, and for Gabriel Alexander. 
In 1721 there Avere surveys made for Thomas, Jolin and Samuel 
Steel. In the northern part of the township Avere Samuel Camp- 
bell, James Shaw, Robert Mackey, Robert Finney, John Morrison 
and others. The land owned by Susanna McCane lay on the road 
leading from New London to Kinibleville, near the line of Frank- 
lin Township. She was the grandmother of Governor Thomas Mc- 
Keau, a brief sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. 

In 1725 the township Avas divided and London Britain Town- 
ship erected, and in 1852 the township of Franklin was taken from 
New London, since which time the latter township has contained 
none of the land belonging to the London Company. 

New Garden ToAvushij) lies in the southern part of Chester 
County and borders on DelaAvare and is w^est of Kennett ToAvnship. 
It was named from New Garden County CarloA\-, Ireland. It Avas 
included in the survey of 30,000 acres, made in 1700, to Henry 
Hollingsworth, of which 30,000 acres, 15,500 acres were patented 
to Letitia Penn, as has been elsewhere related. The_ remainder 
of 14,500 acres Avas patented to William Penn, Jr., May 24, 170(!, 
by the commissioners of property, Edward Shippen, Griffith, Owen, 
and Thomas Story, and like the tract of Letitia Penn, received 
the name of Stenning. The boundaries of the manor liaA'e been 
elsewhere described, and it is (»nly necessary to say here further 
that the toAvnship as it was before losing a corner to London 
Britain, embraced that part of the manor lying north of the cir- 



AND /rs PEOPLE. 917 

oiilar Hue, or act-ordiug to an early estimate, 8,l)lo acres. Before 
obtaining Lis patent William Peun, Jr., had appointed as his at- 
torneys, Griffith Owen, James Logan and Robert Ashton, and after 
a few years several families of Friends arrived from Ireland, and 
settled there, giving the name of New Garden to their new home 
in remembrance of their old home in Ireland. Among those who 
first settled in this township were John Lowdou, Jolin Miller, 
Michael Lightfoot, James Starr, William Halliday, Joseph Hutton, 
Thomas Jackson, and Abraham Marshall, as early as 1712, and in 
1714 Thomas Garnett and Joseph Sharp. The whole amount of 
land purchased by the above named settlers and a few others was 
5,413 acres, at the price of £20 per hundred acres, or about |1 per 
acre. In 1715 William Penn, Jr., sold the remainder of his manor, 
except 500 acres, to Colonel John Evans, from which circumstance 
it was frequently referred to as Colonel Evans' Manor. It is said 
that John Lowdon or Lowden (the name is spelled both ways by 
local historians), who was a noted minister in the Society of 
Friends, suggested New (harden as the name of the township, he 
having been a member of the New Garden meeting. County Car- 
low. Ireland. He traveled much in the service of the ministry, and 
died in 1714. John Miller owned the land afterward ow-ned by Mr. 
Ellicott, of Baltimore, and upon White Clay Creek, which passed 
through his farm, erected a mill, long known as the Old Mill, which 
did the grinding for the farmers for many miles around, even 
as far aw^ay as Lan( tister. This was the second mill of the kind 
within the limits of the county-, Towusend's Mill having been the 
first. The early inhabitants of this part of the county Avere in the 
habit of separating their farms by ditches to prevent the ravages 
of fire, to which they were exposed in the fall, that being the sea- 
son of the year when the Indians were accustomed to burn the 
woods in order to facilitate hunting. 

Newlin Township lies south of West Bradford, and was named 
after Nathaniel Newlin, one of the most prominent citizens of 



91 8 CHESTER COUXTY 

the early day. On tlie 22cl and 23d of March, 1(381, William Venn 
granted 20,000 acres of land in Pennsylvania, and some lots in 
Philadelphia, to certain trustees for the Free Society of Traders, 
these trustees being Nicholas Moore, James Claypoole, Philip Ford, 
William Sharloe, Edward Pierce, John Simcock, Thomas Bracey, 
Thomas Barker and Edward Brooks. On September 20, 1G8S, 
there was surveyed unto Benjamin Chambers, president of the Free 
Society of Traders, for that society's use, 7,100 acres of land, in 
Chester County, a part of the said 20,000 acres, and on the 10th 
of June, 1721, the Free Society of Traders, by its ti'ustees, Charles 
Read, Job Goodsonn, Evan Owen, George Fitzwater, and Joseph 
Pidgeon, conveyed this tract of 7,100 acres to Nathaniel Newlin, 
in consideration of £800, current money of Pennsylvania. Tlius 
Nathaniel Newlin, who was an Irishman, became the owner of the 
tract of land which afterward became the township bearing his 
name. After its purchase by Mr. Newlin it Avas resurveyed and 
found to contain 7,700 acres, and Mr. Newlin made arrangements 
for the sale of portions of his purchase. Followine are the names 
of some of the purchasers, and the amounts of their several pur- 
chases, together with the prices paid: 

George Harlan, 169 acres, for £50 lis; Stephen Harlan, 20 J^ 
acres, £20 10s; Joseph English, 200 acres, £30; Mordecai Cloud, 
326 acres, £97 16s; Abraham Marshall, 120 acres, £36; Joel Baily^ 
228 acres, £68 8s; William Dean, 121 acres, £37 Is; George Lashly, 
75 acres, £22 10s; Ralph Thompson, 75 acres, £19 9s 9d, a total of 
1,337 acres for £383, or very nearly 5s 9d per acre. 

Nathaniel Newlin died in 1729, owning 7,813 acres of laud, of 
which 533 acres were in Concord Township, Delaware County, and 
the rest in Chester County. It was in this towusliip that a difil- 
culty arose with the Indians, who had beeu allotted lands therein, 
but as this matter is treated of in another chapter iu this work, 
it is merely referred to here. In the formation of Pocopson Town- 
ship something more than 300 acres were taken from Newlin 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 9i9 

Township auil iuohuled tbereiu. Up to 1738 the settlers here were 
assessed as of Marlborough or Bradford, accordius as they were 
on the north or south side of the Brandywine,_but about this time 
the inhabitants petitioned for the formation of a new township, 
which petition was granted, and the toAvnship named Newlin. For 
some time the name was frequently written Newlintou. 

Nottingham Township was laid in the extreme southeastern 
part of the county. At a meeting of the commissioners of prop- 
erty, at which all were present, held January 14, 1701, Cornelius 
Empson, for himself and several others to the number of twenty 
families, proposed to make a settlement on a tract of land about 
halfway between the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers, or nearer 
to the Susquehanna, on the Octoraro Creek, provided they could 
have a grant of about 20,000 acres at a certain rental. To this 
proposition the commissioners of property agreed, and issued a 
warrant, in pursuance of which a tract of 18,000 acres of land 
was laid out in May, 1702, commencing at a point about seven 
and a half miles west of the northeast corner of Maryland, and 
extending thence to tlie Octoraro, a distance of about ten miles. 
The south liue of this tract corresponded with or nearly with the 
jn-esent southern boundary of the county, and was nearly straight, 
but the northern line was crooked, in order to take in good lands 
and leave out jioorer tract-s, and in width this tract was about 
three miles. A road was laid out east and west through the mid- 
dle of the tract, and dividing lines were run north and south at 
sufficient distances from each other, so as to make thirty-seven 
divisions, each division containing about 500 acres of laud. This 
large tract was c^alled Nottingham when first laid out, probably 
in remembrance of Nottingham County or shire in England. It 
was supposed to be in Pennsylvania, but when the boundary line 
was at last determined it was found to be largely in Maryland. 
In the survey, although the lines were intended to be parallel to 
the Maryland line, yet, owing probably to the variation of the 



920 CHESTER COUNTY 

compass, not so well understood then as now, they run a little to 
the south of west as they proceed to the west. The north line of 
lots Nos. 5 to 10 crosses the Htate line between the fourteenrli 
and fifteenth milestones. Lots Nos. 11 to 16 were liouuded on 
the north by a straight line, which at its eastern end is a little 
more than three-quarters of a, mile, and at its western end less 
than half a mile north of the State line. 

Northward of these lots the territory was described as being- 
"back of Nottingham," but at length having been taken up by 
.settlers, was included in tiie townsliip of Nottingham. In ITIS 
both East and West Nottingham appear, and in 1731-35 London- 
derry was separated from Nottingliam. Previous to the erection 
of Lancaster ('ouuty in May, 1729, this township extended beyond 
Octoraro CVeek. In 1833 a portion of East Nottingham was taken 
off to form Oxford Borough, and in 1S53 Hopewell Borough was 
taken from it in part. In 1S57 it was still further reduced by the 
erection of Elk Township. 

Oxford Township lies in tlie southwestern part of the count}', 
north of Nottingham. It was established in 1754, being taken 
from the township of LondondeiTV. It is not now known whether 
the name was given in honor of Oxford, England, or of Oxford 
Township in rhi]adel])hia County, whicli is now a. part of Phila- 
delphia. In 17117 it was divide<l into Upper and Lower Oxford. 
In 1841 the line between Upper Oxford and West Fallowfield was 
established. William Peuu's Manor embraced all the eastern part 
of Upper Oxford and a small ]iart of Lower Oxford, and the set- 
tlers on these lands secured their titles after 1747. 

Hopewell Borough was incorjxirated May 2, 1853, the terri- 
tory being taken froui Lower Oxford and P^ast Nottingham Town- 
ships. 

Oxford Borough was incnrporated by an act of Assembly April 
8, 1833, and was taken from Lower Oxford and East Nottingham, 
principally from the latter. Still later its area was enlarged by a 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 921 

tlecree of the court. It was not until about 1870 that the phiee 
began to assume the importauce to which it has now attained. 
Tlie first material improvement made by the borough was the 
establishment of water- works, one of the most difficult problems 
problems for solution in country towns. The Oxford Gas and 
Water Company was incorporated in 18()8, for the purpose of 
erecting works to supply the borough with water. These works 
were built by the company in 1809, and were purchased by the 
borough in 1870 for |30,000. The supply was taken at first from 
Elk Creek, which had an available drainage area of three square 
miles; but later the source of supply was changed to artesian wells 
sunk to a great depth, the water thus procured being determined 
by chemical analysis to be the purest for drinking purposes, and 
iilso for manufacturing, causing but little rust in boilers. Inas- 
much as the sources of supply are practically inexhaustible, fears 
of a water famine can never be felt in Oxford. 

The water is pumped from two drilled wells into a reservoir, 
which is 80 feet square at the top, 2.5 feet square a.t the bottom, and 
is 18 feet deep, having a capacity of 500,000 gallons. The wells 
are each eight inches in diameter and have a depth respectively 
of 189 1-3 feet and 543 feet. The entire cost of the works up to 
1894 was f50,808.9(). The borough being the sole owner of the 
Avorks, the result is that while a comfortable revenue is derived 
from them, yet citizens and industries are supplied at a fairly 
reasonable figure. 

About the same time that the water-works were established 
an efficient fire company was also established, named the Union 
Fire Company, which has always deserved well of the community. 
It was chartered in 1872, erected a substantial frame building in 
1874, which was remodeled in 1880. The building is two stories 
high, 27x55 feet in dimensions, and has a stable in the rear 16x27 
feet in size. It has a Silsby steam fire engine, a hose wagon 
carrying 500 feet of cotton hose, one hand-hose carriage also car- 



922 CHESTER COUNTY 

rying 500 feet of hose, and a hook and ladder truck. One of the 
most useful ordinances of the village, that establishing fire 
limits, was prociired by the Union Fire Company. 

Oxford is lighted by electricity, J. W. Bowman being the 
founder of the system, and the current being furnished by the 
Oxford Electric Light and Power Company. This company has a 
well-equipj»ed plant, the streets, stores and churches being lighted, 
both arc and incandescent lights being used. 

The Oxford Agricultural Society was established in 1870, its 
grounds are located in the northern part of the borough, and con- 
sist of twenty acres, well laid out. This has been since its estab- 
lishment one of the greatest advertising features of the place. 

The Oxford Board of Trade was incorporated December 19, 
1892, for the purpose of promoting domestic commerce, and in- 
creasing commerce, manufactures and general industries. It has 
been largely instrumental in laying the foundations for a broad 
and liberal policy, which has awakened a spirit of progress, and 
has attracted the attention of railroads and manufacturers to the 
many advantages of the place. 

At the election for borough officers in 1838, Thomas Alex- 
ander was chosen chief burgess, and L. K. Brown clerk and treas- 
urer. The council was composed of the following gentlemen: 
Alexander Irwin, Levi K. Brown, John M. Dickey, Kobert Mur- 
dagh, and Ebenezer Speer. The present officers and councilmen 
are as follows: Burgess, Thomas F. Green, elected in 1897; Coun- 
ciliueu, William T. Fulton, Joseph M. Showalter and Milton 
Walker, all elected in 189G for three years; Samuel McDowell 
and David A. Caldwell, elected in 1897 for three years, and Samuel 
L. Martindale and Branson Slack, elected in 1898 for three years. 
The secretary, J. C^'rus Kerr, has held his office since 1877, and 
the treasurer, Jackson A. Watt, has been in his office since 1877, 
with the exception of the years of 1893-1-5. 

INjcojIson Township was formed in 1819, from parts of Penns- 
bury, East Mailborough, Newlin and West Bradford, and was 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 923 

named from the creek that fiows through it. It is bounded (ui 
the east by the Brandywine. Benjamiu Chambers of Phila- 
delphia, in the early days of the Province, took a large quantity 
of land on the Brandywine, which he sold to settlers, Joseph 
Taylor purchasing several hundred acres of him in 1711, and 
afterward building- a mill on Pocopson Creek. The Marshalls 
settled the northern part and were succeeded by the Bakers. 

Penn Township Avas formed in 1817, by dividing up London- 
derry Township. The settlers were largely from the north of Ire- 
land, among them being John McKee, Daniel McClane, George 
Miller, Henry Charlton, Samuel Fleming, Hugh Luckey, Eobert 
Brown, James Strawbridge, John McGrew, Matthew Harbeson, 
Kichard Carson, Thomas Province, John Hayes, William Young, 
William Finney, and ^^'illiam Graham The southern line of this 
toAvnship, separating it from New London, was the southern line 
of Fagg's Manor. 

In 1703 and 1701 surveys were made for William Bradford, 
Thomas Wickersham, Hannah Hammond, and Susanna Cadman, 
the surveys being made in right of old purchases, no one of these 
four persons settling on the laud. 

In 1857 the line between Penn and Londonderry was so altered 
as to include in the latter township a small portion of the former, 
this being done for the accommodation of school districts. 

Jennerville, in this township, was so named by Dr. Josiah 
Ankrim in honor of Dr. Edward Jenner, the discoverer of vac- 
cination. 

Brook Haven is the name given by John I). Nelson to liis line 
farm, which is situated just east of Penn Station on the Phila- 
delphia and Baltimore Central Railroad. The location is unusually 
pleasant and beautiful. 

Pennsbuiy Township was created in 1770, from the eastern 
part of Kennett Township, and comprised the earliest settled part 
thereof. The first surveys were made about 168G, but there were 



924 CHESTER COUNTY 

few settlements made before 1700. Among the names of those 
who first took up land in this township, were those of Francis 
Smitli, lIeni*T Peirce, Robert Way, Thomas Hope, George Harlan, 
Isaac Few and William Huntley. Later came the Harveys, Tem- 
ples, Mendenhalls, and Webbs. John Parker, who was located 
therein during the time of the Revolution, was an eminent minis- 
ter among the Friends, and it was after him that the village of 
Parkersville was named. In 1849 Pocopson Township was taken 
from the northern part of Pennsbury. 

Pikeland Township lies northwest of Schuylkill and Charles- 
town Townships. In 1705 this township was granted by William 
Penn to Joseph Pike, merchant of Cork, Ireland, the patent being 
dated December 3. This was done in order to induce Mr. Pike to 
emigrate to the Province of Pennsylvania. It embraced the terri- 
toi'y now contained in the townships of East and West Pikeland, 
equal to 10,116 acres. Joseph Pike died in 1727, seized of this 
tract and also of about 1,400 acres in Cain Township, on the 
southern part of which now stands Cain Friend's Meeting-house. 
All his lands in America, Joseph Pike devised in fee to his wife 
Elizabeth, who held them until her death, in 1733, devising them 
likewise in fee to her sou Richard Pike. Richard Pike died in 1752, 
having devised in his will all his estates in Pennsylvania to his 
kinsmen, Samuel Hoare and Nathaniel Newberiw, merchants in 
London, England, subject to the payment of certain legacies. In 
1756 Samuel Hoare, having purchased the interest of Mr. New- 
berry, became sole owner. On December 3, 1773, Samuel Hoare, 
by his attorney, Amos Strettle, sold and conveyed "the lands 
known bj- the name of Pikeland," to Andrew Allen, taking from 
him a mortgage thereon for £16,000, part of the purchase money. 
Andrew Allen sold the lands in parcels to 115 persons, receiv- 
ing fr(jm them the purchase money; but failed to pay oft' his in- 
debtedness to Samuel Hoare, and hence the mortgage was sued 
out against Allen and the 115 purchasers from him; and the en- 



AND /7'.S' PEOPLE. 925 

tire towusliip was sold as one tract to Ezekiel Leonard, sheriff 
of Chester County, and was repurchased by Samuel Hoare, hold- 
ing the mortgage, and was reconveyed to him by deed dated 
August 20, 1TS9. As those who had purchased from Allen 
failed to procure from him releases from the mortgage, the 
sheriffs sale to Samuel Hoare divested their titles, but they 
generally compromised with Hoare, and bj' making additional 
payments received deeds of confirmation from him; though some 
were unable to make any agreements, and so lost not only their 
lands, but also the improvements they had made thereon. 
Samuel Hoare thus again becoming owner of Pikeland, ap- 
pointed Benjamin Chew, Alexander Wilcoxe, and Benjamin 
Chew, the younger, all of Philadelphia, his attorneys to make 
sale of his lands, which they proceeded to do, and the titles to all 
the lauds in the two Pikelands are derived from him, either 
through the agents named above, or through other agents sub- 
sequently appointed. 

When the title to Pikeland was vested in Samuel Hoare it 
was largely leased in small tracts to settlers, with the right to 
purchase after twenty years' possession, at a vahuttion then to 
be made. Among those who first settled in this township were 
Samuel Lightfoot, Michael Lightfoot and Thomas Millhouse, the 
first of whom built the first mill in the vicinity, and Michael Light- 
foot was a tenant on the place afterward held by Mr. Penny- 
packer, living for some years in a cave. 

The Yellow Springs, now known as Chester Springs, are lo- 
cated in West Pikeland To^ nship, the mineral properties of the 
waters having been discovered as early as 1722. For many years 
these springs were a fashionable resort, but a length their pop- 
ularity waned, owing in part, at least, to their distance from rail- 
road facilities. They ceased to be kept up in 1S6S. Mr. Snyder 
and his wife conveying the property in this latter year to Charles 
W. Deans and others, who in 1809 conveyed it to the Chester 



926 CHESTER COUXTY 

Spriuiis Solfliers' Orphans' School and Literary Institute. The 
old frame-house which stood on the hill-side in the rear of the 
former hotel buildings was erected by the direction of General 
Washington, during the Kevolutionary War, and Avas used as a 
hospital for his sick and wounded soldiers. For a long time it was 
known as Washington Hall. 

In 1810 James Ross, a native of Chester County, wrote, a Latin 
poem on the Yellow Springs. The first stanza Is as follows: 

"Quereret si quis, socios, amicos, 
Unde sanaret, vacuos salute, — 
Flavulor fontes adeant salubres ' 

Fontis ad undas." 

In 1S38 the township was divided into East and West Pike- 
land 

Sadsbury Township), formcn'ly written Sudbury, possibly after 
Sudbury, Suffolk County, England, lies in the middle western part 
of the county, bordering on Lancaster County. The township was 
organized in 1717, though the name Sadsbury appears as early 
as 1708. This township lies in the Great Valley and to the nortli- 
ward thereof, that part lying in the valley being taken up at an 
early day, in right of purchases made In England, and that north 
of it at a somewhat later period. In 1718 the taxables were nine 
in number, \A'illiam Grimson, James Hamer, Thomas Hayward, 
John Musgrave, William Smith, John Whltesides, and John Moore. 
The first township officer mentioned was William Marsh, Novem- 
ber 26, 1717. In 1728 a petition was presented to the court, asking 
for the definite location of the boundaries of the township, which 
on November 27 of that year was granted. In 1813 the line be- 
tween Sadsbury and West Cain Townships, was relocated and set- 
tled. In 1852 Sadsbury was reduced in size by the formation of 
Valley Township, previous to which time it extended eastward to 
the Brandywine at Coatesville. By an act of Assembly passed 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 927 

March 1, 1S72, the borougk of Parkesburj*- was erected, thus re- 
ducing the township in size, and by a decree of the court of Decem- 
ber, 20, 1875, the borougli of Atglen was established, thus further 
reducing the size of Sadsbury. In 1878 the township was divided 
into East and West Sadsbury. The early settlers of this or these 
toAvnships were Friends from England and Scotch-Irish Presbyte- 
rians 

Among the noted citizens of this part of the county in the 
olden time was Colonel Andrew Boyd, son of Kev. Adam Boyd, who 
was lieutenant of Chester County during a jiart of the Kevolution- 
ary War. John Fleming, Si*., another pi*ominent citizen of this 
part of tlie county, was a member of the convention that framed 
the State Constitution in 177fi, and he was a member of the As- 
sembly in 1778. Dr. Joseph Gardner was an active Eevolutionary 
patriot, was three years a member of the Assembly, and was a 
member of the Continental Congress in 1784-85, and John Gardner, 
sou of the former, was sheriff of Chester County from 1781 to 1783. 

Atglen, formerly Penningtonville, was incorporated by a de- 
cree of the court, December 20, 1875. It is in the Great Valley, on 
the Pennsylvania, about one mile from Octoraro Creek, the west- 
ern boundary of the county. 

The borough ofiicers of Atglen have been as follows: 

Burgesses— Robert Futhey, 1876-77; Charles Reese, 1878; E. 
T. Good, 1879; Hibbert Chalfant, 1880; Andrew J. Irwin, 1881; 
Isaac Acker, 1882; Hibbert Chalfant, 1883-90; A. J. Hennis, 1891; 
Hibbert Chalfant, 1892-93; H. C. Yerkes, 1891-96; A. J. Hennis, 
1897-1900. 

Secretaries — Aaron Sill, Jr., 1876; Robert Holsin, 1877-78; 
William J. McKim, 1879; Jacob Airgood, 1880; William Wilde, 
1881; P. Goodman, 1883; Frank Cowan, 1883; R. C. Cowan, Jr., 
1896-98. 

The council at the present time is composed of the following 
gentlemen: Robert Futhey, John Miller, John Hoover, Jacob 

55 



928 CHESTER COUNTY 

Heyberger, Samuel Whitson, and Samuel Ehoads, the terms of the 
first three expiring in 1899, and of the last three in 1900. 

During the year 1898 the electric light was introduced inlo 
Atglen from Christiana, Lancaster County, only the incandescent 
lights being used. These vary in strength from sixteen to thirty- 
two caudle power, the larger ones being in use to light the streets, 
the twenty-four candle power lights being used in cliurches and 
stores, and the sixteen candle power lights being in use in jjrivate 
houses. In all there are nearly 1,000 lights in the village. 

Atglen prides herself on her public school building, erected 
in 1895. It stands on East Main Street and Newport Avenue. It 
is of brick, witli green stone foundation, is one-story high, and 
contains two school-rooms, each room capable of accommodating 
eighty pupils. It cost |7,000, and is provided with the Smead sys- 
tem of heating and ventilating. The size of the building is 80x50 
feet. 

Parkesburg Borough was incorporated March 1, 1872. It is 
located on the Pennsylvania Eailroad, and when the railroad Avas 
constructed from Philadelphia to Columbia the State shops were 
located here, remaining until 18(51, when they were removed to 
Harrisburg, and the buildings thus vacated, were afterward owned 
by Horace A. Beale, and used for a rolling-mill. The place re- 
ceived its name from an uld and intluential family by the name of 
Parke. Three generations of this family have occupied seats in 
the Legislature of the States Joseph Parke, John G. Parke and 
Kobert Parke, the latter having also been an associate judge of 
the county. 

The first officers of this borough consisted of the followiug 
persons: Samuel I\. Parke, burgess; J. M. liawlius, secretary-; J. 
W. Wright, treasurer. Since then the brugesses have been as fol- 
lows: John Gilfillan, 1873; Amos Michener, 1871; J. Xevin Pome- 
roy, 1875; William B. Bassett, 1876; P. U. B. Stroud, 1877; Thomas 
Boyd, 1878; A. G. Wilson, 1882-83; Philip D. Handwork, 1884; 



A^W ITS PEOPLE. 929 

Amos Miclieuer, 1S85-8G; Thomas C. Youn^', 1887; A. C. Ferree, 
1888-89; S. Cromleigb, 1890; T. J. Keuuedy, 1891; William C. Mich- 
ener, 1892; T. .]. Kennedy, 1893-95; S. Cromleioh, 1896; Amos 
Strickland, 1897-98. 

Secretaries— J. M. Kawlins, 1873-71; John M. Dean, 1875-70; 
John D. Wilson, 1877-78; John D. AVilson, 1882; J. F. Matlack, 
1883; M. F. Hamill, 1881-85; E. H. Brodhead, 1886; W. C. Michener, 
1887-90; H. G. Book, 1891-93; M. F. Hamill, 1894-95; A. P. Reid, 
1896; M. F. Hamill, 1897; Maris C. Mullin, 1898. 

Treasurers — R. Agnew Futhej, 1873; Thomas Boyd, 1874-76; 
C. C. Owens, 1878; William B. Haslett, 1882; Samuel Jackson, 1883; 
A. J. Williams, 1884-85; J. Y. Rice, 1886; A. G. Wilson, 1887; M. F. 
Hamill, 1888-93; A. P. Reid, 1894-95; M. F. Hamill, 1896-98. 

The Parkesburg Water Company has its plant on the hills 
north of the town, and by means of wells and a wind engine 
pumps water into the mains, and thus supplies the inhabitants of 
the place with excellent water. 

The Parkesburg Blecti'ic Light Company was established in 
1893, and at the present time has eighteen arc lights for street 
lighting and numerous incandescent lights in stores, churches and 
private residences. 

The borough erected a lock-up in 1885. 

The borough of Coatesville was incorporated by a decree of the 
court, August 5, 1867, and it was ordered that the electors should 
meet on the second Friday of March, each year, to elect borough 
officers, except for the j-ear 1S67, the election being that year held 
October 8, resulting in the choice of Abram Gibbons, ('raig Ridg- 
way, Richard Strode, William T. Hunt and Joseph Suydam, coun- 
cilmen, and William B. Mdrrison, burgess. Joseph L. Suydam was 
elected secretary and Abrani Gibbons, treasurer. The burgesses 
since then have been as follows: (Jeorge W. Price, Horace A. 
Beale, R. E. Smith, Joseph Doun, J. N. Woodward, J. T. Pierce, 
Moses Rambo, George G. Myer, N. H. Stone, T. H. Windle, John 
Speakman, and J. H. Dunlap, present burgess. 



930 CHESTER COUNTY 

Secretaries — Joseph L. Suydaiii, William K. Ash, H. D. Har- 
lan, Benjamiu T. Lewis, H. C Wilson, Caleb Brown, B. F. Wicker- 
sham, Isaac Spackman, W. S. Harlan, and J. W. Wingard. 

Treasurers — Abram Gibbons, O. H. Branson, E. D. Baldwin, 
F. B. Speakman, W. S. Harlan, J. B. Van Ormer, and C. N. Speak- 
man. 

The council at the present time is as follows: C. P. Green- 
wood, president; J. W. Doan, Joseph Graham, Albert Pawling, 
Eobert Yochum, (Jrier M. Hoskins and S. V. Hughes. 

Not long after the incorporation of the borough it became evi- 
dent that Avater-works were a necessity, and in 1871 the present 
system was introduced. The system is owned by the borough, and 
the capacity of the reservoir is 3,000,000 gallons. The original 
cost of the works was |80,000, and in 1897 money was borrowed 
to the amount of |23,000 for the purpose of increasing the supply 
of Waaler. The reservoir was repaired, a new puni]) and engine in- 
stalled, and the system otherwise improved and repaired. 

The Coatesville Gas Company Avas organized June 28, 1871, 
with Dr. Charles Huston, president, and A. D. Harlan, secretary. 
On August 8, 1871, a permanent organization was effected by the 
election of Abram Gibbons, president; John L. Martin, secretary, 
and the following board of directors: Dr. Charles Hustcm, Richard 
Strode, S. B. Worth, W. B. Mendenhall, and Washington Miller. 
The capital stock originally was |20,000, but on November 28, 
1871, it was increased to |30,000, and on December 30, following, 
the plant was completed, the first gas being manufactured that 
day. There was manufactured nearly 2,000,000 feet the first year, 
the price being $3.50 per 1,000 cubic feet. February G, 1877, the 
price was reduced to $3, and on June 5, 1881, the price was re- 
duced to 12.50, at Avhich it remained until December 6, 18P2. At 
this time the price was reduced to |1.70 per 1,000 feet for lighting 
purposes, and to -fl for heating purposes, and in 1893 a contract 
was made with the United Gas Improvement Company, of Phil- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 93 1 

adelpliia, to furuisli a uew plant complete, bj which the "Lowe 
system" of water <>'as Avould be iiitt'oduced. Under this arrange- 
ment each gas light was eqiml to 20-candle power, whereas before 
each light was only 18-candle power. 

The Coatesville Board of Trade Avas organized about March 
25, 1890, with C W. Ash, president; M. W. Pownall, secretary, and 
John W. Thompson, treasurer. In a very short time nearly every 
business man of the jjlace had become a member of the organiza- 
tion, and it Avas thought that a new era of prosperity had dawned 
upon the town. The influence of this board was soon felt in vari- 
ous ways. The Western Union telegraph poles were remoA-ed from 
Main Street, better train accommodations were secured from the 
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and sanitary measures received 
proper attention. A board of health was soon esttiblished, an agita- 
tion was begun for a better water supply, and various committees 
were appointed to look after the various interests of the place. 

Lewis B. Henson was elected president of the board January 
12, 1891, and was later succeeded by William H. Gibbons, the lat- 
ter being succeeded by Hugh Kenworthy. 

The Youug Men's Christian Association of Coatesville was 
organized in the fall of 1891, with the following officers: Charles 
L. Huston, president; Lewis B. Henson and William H. Gibbonw, 
vice-presidents; William H. Eidgway, secretary, and John W. 
Thompson, treasurer. A site on the south side of Main Street was 
purchased on which a building was erected, which cost nearly |30,- 
000, is three stories high, the front being of Indiana limestone, and 
the building itself mainly of brick. To become a member of this 
association it is not necessary to be either a Christian or a church 
member, any man of good moral character being eligible to mem- 
bership. 

The fact that Coatesville has a public libi'aiw is due to the late 
Mrs. Isabella Huston, who fitted up a building at her own expense ■ 
for its use, and purchased many books for its shelves. The first 



932 CHESTER COUNTY 

officers of the Library Association ^^'ere as follows: Dr. Charles 
Huston, president; Abram Gibbons, treasurer, and John S. Hope, 
secretary. The first board o{ directors was as follows: Kev. G. G. 
Field, Mrs. Isabella Huston, Clara Huston, S. B. Worth, Eev. Dr. 
Eoberts, Benjamin Miller, and Mrs. Morris, and Col. Evart was the 
first librarian. People of wealth and liberality became interested 
in the cause, and the enterprise ^\as a success from the first. 

The ^Vashington Fire Company of Coatesville was organized 
June 12, 1S71, and it was incorporated August 17, 1871, the first 
meeting being held September 1 of that yeai'. The borough council 
then purchased the old Kingsessing hose carriage, a hook and lad- 
der truck, gum-buckets, aud 500 feet of leather hose, and pre- 
sented all to the new company. April 1, 1873, the company pur- 
chased the site of their present quarters at the corner of Chestnut 
Street and Third Avenue for |3,000, erected thereon a house worth 
|5,000, aud moved into it November 15, 1873. In December, 1875, 
a Clapj) & Jones steam fire engine, a hose carriage and 500 feet of 
rubber hose were purchased for |3,S50 by the borough, and pre- 
sented TO the company, and the company is now one of the best 
equipped and most efficient of any in any inlaud town in the State. 

The Coatesville Electric Light Compauy was chartered March 
28, 1892, with a capital of |25,000, aud the borough entered into 
a contract with the new compauy to light the towu with arc lights 
at a cost per annum of |93.33 for each light, the contract to remain 
in force for five years. A substantial brick building was erected nt 
the corner of Fourth Avenue and liailroad Street, and on January 
2, 1893, the town was redeemed from darkness by the electric light, 
for the first time. The incandescent system is in general use by 
business and private houses. 

The Coatesville Board of Health was organized in April, 1891, 
with Dr. E. V. Swing, president, and Dr. Ida Vriel, secretary, she 
being the first lady to ser\'e on a boai'd of health in the State. 
As a result of the labors of this board, Coatesville is one of the 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 933 

liealthie.st places in the i^tate, as well as one of llie most beautiful. 
The Itoard holds nieetiuns once each month, and is ever ready to 
take notice of any matter pertainiuj; to the imprdvement of the 
sanitary condition of the corporation. 

The poi)nlatioii of Coatesville in 1870 was 2,025; in 1880, 2,7G(;; 
in 1890, 3,080, and at the present time (1898) is estimated at 5,000. 

The fraternal organizations of Coatesville are numerous an<l 
pros]»erous. (Joddard Lodge, No. 383, F. ^: A. M., was chartere<l 
March 5, 18(i7, and at tiie jn-esent time has a membership of about 
100. Its meetings are held in Goddard Hall, on the Tuesday even- 
ing which occurs on or first after the full moon. 

Coatesville Lodge, No. oOl, F. i^t A. M., was constituted Oc- 
tober 22, 188(), and chartered with nineteen members. At present 
it has about 100 members and its career has been one of uuinter- 
rupted success. 

(^'oatesville Koyal Arch Chapter, No. 207, was constituted. De- 
cember 28, 1887, and its officers fonually installed. The member- 
ship at the present time is about sixty. 

Centennial Commandery, No. 55, Knights Templar, was con- 
.stituted October 18, 187(!, with nine charter members. The com- 
mandery has always been successful in its work, and is in a 
Houiishiug condition. 

Lilly of the Valley Lodge, No. 59, F. iV: .V. M. (colored), Avas con- 
stituted in 1875, and has a membership of about thirty. It meets 
on the second and fourth A>'e(lnesday evenings of each niontli in 
Masonic Hall Building, on Coates Street. 

vStar of Hope Lodge, No. 199, I. O. (). F., was established Au- 
gust 17, 1816, at Youngsburg. Being removed to Coatesville its 
place of meeting was for many years in West Coatesville, but in 
1890 it sold its building and removed to the Opera House, where 
its meetings were held until Api-il 1, 1892, when it moved into a 
new building, which had been erected for its use by its trustees, 
on the corner of Third Avenue and Main Street, and here it hold-i 



934 CHESTER COUNTY 

meetings each week, on Saturday evenings, and pays to those in 
need |4 per week. 

Chosen Friends Encampment, No. 88, I. O. O. V., was insti- 
tuted April 9, 1849, and meets on Wednesday evening of eacii 
week. 

Huklah Lodge, No. 37, Daughters of Rebecca, was instituted 
September 27, 1892, Avith 76 charter members. It meets on the sec- 
on<l and fourth Monday evenings of each mouth. 

Sober Retreat Lodge, No. 27;5(i, (Iraud Uuited Order, was '-s- 
tablished in Coatesville about 1885, is distinct from the indepen- 
dent order, is composed of colored people, and holds meetings on 
the first Weduesday and third Saturday of each month, in Samari- 
tan Hall, on Merchant Street. 

The Household of Ruth Lodge, No. 514, was organized by the 
wives and daughters of the members of Sober Retreat Lodge, Avitli 
twenty charter members, the organization being effected in 1888. 

Coatesville Castle, No. 91, Knights of the Golden Eagle, was 
instituted April 26, 1886, with twenty-six charter members. This 
is a semi-military order, and paj's |4 per week benefits for dis- 
ability, |100 death benefit, and |75 beuefit at the death of a mem- 
ber's wife. 

Wayne Lodge, No. 266, K. P., was instituted September 20, 
1870, with eighteen charter members. It has now about 60 mem- 
bers. 

Charles Sumner Lodge, No. IS (colored), was established June 
14, 1890, with sixty-eight charter members. Uniformed Rank, No. 
16, is a branch of this order, and the Coui-t of Calauthe, No. 8 
(ladies), is attached to Charles Sumner Lodge. 

Ouondago Tribe, No. 83, Improved Order of Red Men, was 
organized February 10, 1868, with fifteen charter members. 

Onondago Haymakers' Association, No. 83^, was instituted 
June 21, 1886, and holds its meetings on the last Monday of each 
mouth. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 935 

Unoas Chieftau's League was organized 20th Snu, Stiirgeou 
Moon, G. S. D., 398, and meets on the third Monday of each month. 

Coatesville Council, No. 421, Junior Order United American 
Mechanics, was organized July 1, 1891, and was instituted on the 
14th of the same mouth, Avith sixty-thi*ee charter members. The 
council ]iays fS weekly for sickness or disability, $2.50 in case of 
deatJi, and -fSO on the death of the wife of a member. 

White Star Council, Xo. 730, was instituted in NoA'ember, 
1891, with twenty charter members, and at the ]n'eseut time has 
about tlfty members. This council pays |4 weekly benefits, and 
has the optional benefit fund of |250. 

Coatesville Lodge, No. l(i, ludeiJendent Order of Good Temp- 
lars, was instituted July 27, 1889, and meets each Saturday even- 
ing in G. A. 1\. Hall, (»n ilain Street. 

Washington Camp, Xo. 549, Patriotic Order Sons of America, 
Avas instituted August 5, 1890, and has now a membership of about 
fifty. This cam]i ])ays -14 weekly benefits in case of sickness or 
accident. 

St. Paul's Lodge, Xo. 19, Sous and Daughters of Samaria (col- 
ored), is a beneficial and charitable organizatiim, and has been in 
existence since about 1880. It owns Samaritan Hall, on Merchant 
Street, in avIucIi several otlier organizations of colored people hold 
their meetings. 

Brandy wine Post, G. A. P., Xo. 54, was organized June 20, 
1878, Avith thirteen charter members. This post meets every Fri- 
day evening. 

Brandywiue W. P. C., Xo. 149, is an auxiliary to the above, and 
Avas organized September 4, 1891, with thirty-six charter members. 

Daniel C. Reed Post, Xo. 599, G. A. P., Avas organized October 
20, 1890, with sixteen members. It is composed of colored members. 

Schuylkill ToAvnship lies in the northeastern part of the county 
on the Schuylkill Piver, east of CharlestoAvn, from which it Avas 
taken in 1820. Among the early settlers of this toAvnship were 



936 CHESTER COUNTY 

the families of Andersou, IJnxzard, Hover, Buckwalter, Kodlev, 
Baitbolomew, Coates, Coxe, Davis, Deluiven, Eat-li, Fussell, Grif- 
fith, James, Kennedy, Lon<istreth, Maris, Miller, Moore, Roberts, 
Pennypaoker, Kapp, Robinson, Rossiter, Starr, Steward, Schofleld, 
Wagoner, and Wersler. Moore Hall in tliis towuslii]), more tlian a 
hundred years ago, one of tlic most aristocrati<- mansions iii the 
county. 

The borough of Phu-uixvilJe was taken from the east part of 
Schuylkill Township, and incorporated by a decree of the court 
March (I, 1849. The first election for borough officers was held 
April 13, following, it being a contest between those favorable to 
and those opposed to incorporation. The vote was as follows: For 
burgess, Isaac A. Peunypacker, 225; Samuel A. Whitaker, 156; for 
the councilmen that were elected: George Walters, 361; John 
Vanderslice, 271; Major MacVeagh, 256; William King, 248; 
Francis Bonner, 229, and John Mullen, 214. 

Following are the names of (he Burgesses of Pha^nixville since 
its incorporation: Isaac A. Pennypacker, 1849, 1851 and 1853; 
Joseph B. McAllister, 1850; N. M. Ellis, 1852 and 1856; John Mor- 
gan, 1854; Isaac Z. Coffman, 1855; John Griff en, 1857; John R. 
Dobson, 1858; Isaac Phillips, 1859 and 1860, and Joseph Dobson to 
fill out the unexpired term of Isaac Phillips, deceased; Benjamin 
Hallman, 1861, 1865 and 1866; Levi Oberholtzer. 1862 and 1863; 
Harman Yerkes, 1864; Nathan Wagoner, 1867; Aaron B. Thom- 
son, 1868; Jacob Baugh, 1869; Jacob B. Morgan, 1870, 1871, 1872 
and 1873; Levi B. Kaler, 1874; J. B. Morgan, 1875; Benjamin G. 
Essick, 1876-77; N. B. Broomall, 1878-79; B. G. Essick, 1880; Frank 
L. Kreamer, 1881; Levi Oberholtzer, 1882; P. G. Carey, 1883; Z. S. 
Ccdehouer, 1884; N. M. Ellis, 1885; N. B. Broomall, 1886; N. C. Van- 
derslice, 1887; Daniel F. Moore, 1888; John Denithorne, 1889; S. 
Robert March, 1890-92; \\'. 11. Mosteller, 1893; John Denithorne, 
1894-96; William H. Bitting, 1897-98. 

Clerks of tlie Council- Jacob B. Morgan, 1849-1851; O. E. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 937 

Strickland, part of 1852; J. B. Morgau, 1802-1854; P. G. Carey, 
1855-50; David P.ouuer, 1857-58; P. G. Carey, 1850-(i2; Benjamin 
Hallman, 18()3-(;i; P. G. Carey, 18(')5-T2; Josiali P. Eacluis, 1873-98. 

Treasurers — Samuel Moses, 1849-77; Horace Lloyd, 1878-98. 

The present council of Phcenixville is as follows: K. J. Hen- 
derson, J. 1{. Eyricb, E. L. Biickwalter, A. Y. Coffnian, N. J. Wait- 
neigbt, W. J. Hodge, E. J. McGettigau, M. J. O'Donuell, Noali 
Buck, S. il. Fitzgerald, C. G. Barth, William LaPorte. 

The president of the council is E. L. Buckwalter, and the clerk, 
■Josiah P. Eachus. 

The Phoenixville Board of Health is as follows: M. G. IJppert, 
president; J. G. Shoemaker, M. D., vice-president; I. E. Miller, 
secretary; Joseph Moore, health officer; E. M. Massinger, Y. S., 
milk inspector; Jesse Hall, Eugene McCabe, James O'Neill. 

In 1859 an amendment to the charter of the borough was ob- 
tained from the Legislature, providing for <a council of nine per- 
sons, thi'ee to be elected each year to serve three yeai's, and au- 
thorizing the burgess and town council to borrow |10,000 for the 
erection of a town-hall and market-house. Previous to the secur- 
ing of this amendment the burgess had not only presided over 
the meetings of the council, but he had also been an active partic- 
ipant in borough legislation, and the question then arose as to 
whether his authority had been supei'seded by the amendment, 
as was intended. This construction was put upon the amend- 
ment, and Isaac Phillips, who was burgess during 1859 and a part 
of 1860, quietly acquiesed in this construction; but Benjamin Hall- 
man, elected in 1861, insisted on his right to preside, which was re- 
fused, and a motion to enter his objection to the proceedings of the 
council was voted, down, by a vote of 4 to 5. The solicitor of the 
borough coincided in opinion with Burgess Hallman, and as soon 
as this was ascertained some of the active members of the council 
hastened to Harrisburg, and almost immediately returned with an 
act of Assembly so amending the charter that the burgess was de- 



938 CHESTER COUNTY 

piived of all legislative powex' aud made a mere executive offioev. 
.Since that time the burgess has not presided over the council. 

In 18(11 the coiincil purchased a lot of ground on the east side 
of Main Street, beloAV Bridge Street, upon which they erected a 
tine brick market-house, wliich has since been a great convenience 
to tlie people of the place. In JS72 arrangements were perfected 
to supply the town with water. 

The construction of water-works in Plioeuixville was coni- 
meuced in 1S72, and completed in 1873. Water is obtained from 
the Schuylkill Iviver to the north of the borough and .just aboA'e 
the tunnel bridge. It is pumped into a reservoir located about 500 
feet from the pumping station, aud elevated 185 feet above the 
level of the ri^er. The reservoir has a capacity of 2,(i00,000 gal- 
lons, and from this reservoir it is jjiped through the town. The 
pressure is from 00 to 70 pounds, aud almost every resident of the 
borough takes water from the system, those that do not paying a 
protection tax. The minimum water rate is |6 per year, and it 
may, according to circumstances, run up to |50 per year. There 
are two A\'ortliiugton pumps, one having a capacity of 1,000,000 
gallons, tlie other of 1,500,000 gallons per day, and the cost of the 
system as it stands today was |225,000. B. H. Willauer is water 
superintendent. 

The Phtenix Military Baud was organized June 5, 1847, in 
the home of ^^'. ^^'. Waitneigh, on Bridge Street, Phoenixville. 
There were at first seventeen members, all of whom are uow dead 
except Philomeu Kichards, of Germantowu, who is now over 
eighty years of age. The first leader of this baud was Samuel T. 
IJeeves, aud the first set of iustruments which were manufactured 
in New Hampshire cost .*>500. One of those instruments is still in 
existence, but is out of date. The band has had in all six sets of in- 
struments, the aggregate cost has been |5,500. 

Since Samuel T. BeeA'es, the leaders of this band have been 
Lawrence S. Fox, li(tbert B. Williamson, John G. Moses, from 1855 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 939 

to ISTS, aud L. B. Vanderslice, nephew of Mr. Moses. Mr. Vander- 
sliie having been elected April 29, 1876. The professional teach- 
ers of the band have been James V. Giffen, Philip Nenber, and 
John r. Kowbothani. This organization has had three band 
wagons, the present one having been purchased in 1868, costing 
|1,100, and being now as good as when new. The band lias had 
three names — first the Military Brass Band of Phwnixville; sec- 
ond, the Phoenix Brass Band, and third, the Phoenix Military Band, 
being organized under this name July 27, 1867, and incorporated 
August 9, 1880. it has held the position since its organization of 
the best band in Chester County, and most of the time it has com- 
pared favorably with tlie leading bands in the kState. 

The Phceuixville Hospital was iucorpoi'ated June 12, 1898, 
as the Stratford Castle Hospital, and re-chartered May 25, 1895, 
as the Phoenixville Hospital. The first year's work under its 
present name, showed 433 cases treated, 317 of which were sur- 
gical aud 116 medical. The second year's work ending in June, 
1897, showed 485 surgical cases and 245 medical, a total of 730, 
and a total for the two years of 1,163. Tlie dispensary work of 
the hospital from the first grew rapidly, and was of great benefit 
to the sick and afflicted who were without the necessary means to 
purchase needed remedies or to employ a physician. The building- 
occupied hj this valuable institution stands near the Cray Street 
Viaduct and French CVeek, but the work so rapidly increases 
that a new building is essential to its success, and a plot of 
ground on Xutts Avenue, in the southern jiart of the borougli, 
was purchase<l about the beginning of 1897, on which the neces- 
sary buildings will be erected as soon as the funds can be secured. 
A building committee was appointed consisting of Samuel Wynne, 
Harry Sloyer, Paul S. Beeves, D. F. Moore, Clarence Keely, and L. 
B. Kaler, and this excellent committee will secure the erection 
of buildings as soon as practicable. The officers of the hospital 
are Levi B. Kaler, president; C. M. Vanderslice, vice-president; 



940 CHESTER COUNTY 

Samuel Wynne, secretary, and Harry Sloyer, treasurer. Mrs. 
Alice Evans, matron; Miss Katberine X. Miller, chief nurse; 
Thomas Leidy Ehoads, chief surgeon; and Myron W. Snell, M. D., 
resident physician. The expense of conducting the hospital for 
The year ending .lune 1, 18!)S, was ^3,200.25. For the year ending 
•Tune 1, 1898, the number of jjatieuts treated was 942, making 
a total since the opening of the hospital, December IG, 1893, 2,203. 
The number of deaths occuring in the hospital has been 21. Plans 
for the new building reached Phoeuixville in August, 1S98. It is 
to be a three-st(U-y stone building above a basement, and is ex- 
pected to co*!t 115,000. 

The Phopnixville Park is one of the beauty spots of the 
county. It is situated on South Main Street, and occupies a 
full square of ground. It was donated to the city about 187-1, 
and was opened to the public in July, 1878, with a grand 
demonstration of bonfires, music, and speeches. It will long re- 
main an evidence of the generosity of its donor, David Reeves, of 
whom there is a fine bronze monument within its limits. 

The secret societies of PlHPnixville are as follows: 

Ph(enix Lodge, No. 7.'i. F. iS; A. M., organized March 12, 1798, 
at Pughtown. 

PhoMiix Chapter, No. 198, If. A. M., organized September 13, 
1861, anil liolds its meetings every Saturday next after the full 
moon. 

Pho'uix Lodge, Xo. 212, I. O. O. F., organized January 20, 
1847, and meets every Wednesday at Temperance Hall. 

Adelaide Lodge of Kebekahs, I. O. <). F., which meets in the 
](ostottice building, on the third and fifth Tuesda.ys of the month. 

Wayne Council No. 27, Sr., O. U. A. M., which meets every 
Wednesday evening at Temperance Hall. 

Wayne Council, No. KJ, Jr., O. U. A. M., which meets every 
Friday evening at Temperance Hall. 

Lieut. Josiah White Post, No. 15, G. A. E., which meets every 
Friday evening in CasAvell &; Moore's building. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 941 

Audiew <i. ('intiu Cuiiip, No. 10(1, !»l()U8 of Yeteraus, meets 
every Monday eveninj;- in Caswell ^: Moore's buiklinff. 

Division No. 1, A. O. H., meets on the second Sunday of each 
month at Hibernia Hall. 

The German Beneficial Society, No. 1, meets Thursday even- 
injis after pay-day in the postofflce building. 

Jerusalem Commandery, No. 15, K. T., meets at Masonic Hall 
on the Tuesday on or before the full moon. 

ManarvKU ( (nincil, No. 1,010, Koyal Arcanum, meets in the 
postoffice building on the second and fourth Tuesday of each 
month. 

I'alestine Council, No. 8, R. & S. M., meets even' Tuesday even- 
ing on or before the full moon, in Masonic Hall. 

Phoenix Council, No. 1G4, P. of L., meets each Wednesday 
evening in the postoffice building. 

Sanakac J^odge, No. 58, K. of P., meets every Monday evening 
at Temperance Hall. 

Stratford Castle, No. 67, K. G. E., meets even- Monday even- 
ing in the Whitaker building. 

Washington Castle, No. 45, K. (J. E., meets every Monda\ 
evening in the Postoffice building. 

Spring City, formerly Spriugville, is on the Schuylkill Kiver, 
and was taken from the east part of East Vincent Township, in 
1867, being then incorporated by a decree of the court. The name 
became Spring City in 1872, in order that the name of the village 
and the postoffice might be the same. The villaae is located op- 
jjosite Koyer's Ford, on the Reading Railroad. 

The Phoenixville Gas Light & Fuel Company was a corporation 
chartered by letters patent issued by the governor of Pennsylvania 
on the 18th day of November, A. I)., 1873. Prof. S. C. Lowe, now 
of Los Angeles, California, was the principal incorporator of the 
company, and it was through his energy and largely by his capi- 
tal that the first works were built in the borough of Phoenixville. 



943 CHESTER COUNTY 

Prof. Lowe was the inveutor of what is known as the water-gas 
process of making gas, and these works were built by him for the 
purpose of putting his invention into practice. Phoenixville, there- 
fore, has the honor of having the first water-gas works erected in 
the United States. 

The old works were built on Prospect Street, east of Main 
Street in the boi"ough of Phoenixville, and were very small and 
crude. 

Among the incorpoi'ators were J. P. Morgan, cashier of the 
National Bank of Phoenixville, Ellis Beeves, of the firm of Reeves 
& Starkey, and John Griffon, superintendent of the Phoenix Iron 
Company, all of whom are deceased. 

The United Gas Improvement Company purchased all the pat- 
ents of Prof. Lowe, and upon these patents and improvements 
thereon all the water-gas works were oi)erated in the United States, 
as well as in foreign countries. 

In 1887 the works were sold at the suit of the bondholders to 
the trustee named in a mortgage, and were purchased by a syn- 
dicate of bondholders, who reorganized the company and procured 
from the State a charter for the new company, under the name 
and title of the Phoenix Gas Light & Fuel Company. 

This charter is dated March 15, A. D., 1888. The first presi- 
dent of the new company was George K. Griffon, and the first 
secretary was Henry R. Griffon. The new company continued to 
operate the old works until the year 1895, Avhen they purchased 
a tract of ground along the Schuylkill River, abutting on the Phila- 
delphia & Reading Railroad, where they erected new and improved 
works, at a cost of $30,000. The works were erected under contract 
with the Western Gas & Improyement Company of Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, and the company relaid a large number of the old mains, 
and have materially increased their business by the change. The 
annual output of gas from the present works is about seven million 
cubic feet. 




"^(?, i 




AND ITS PEOPLE. 943 

The present officers of the company are as follows: President, 
II. 11. Gilkysou; secretary, E. X. Peuuypacker; treasurer, I. J. 
Krower. The board of directors are H. H. Gilkysou, N. H. Benja- 
min, lion. L. B. Kaler, I. J. Brower, J. M. Reeves, Harry Sloyer 
and A. E. Eaclins; the superintendent of the works is David Buck. 

Thorubury Township lies in the southeastern part of the 
county, and was divided into two townships, each retaining the 
name, when Delaware County was created in 1789. It was named 
from Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England, being named in honor 
of the wife of George Peirce, she being a native of Thornbury, 
England. The township was organized in 1687 by the appointment 
of Hugh Durburrow as constable, when there were not more than 
live or six families within its limits. Thornbury, Birmingham and 
Westtown Townships are the only ones within the present limits 
of Chester County organized prior to 1704. That part of Thorn- 
bury which fell into Chester County was about one-fourth of the 
original township, and it is one of the smallest townships in Ches- 
ter Count}-. 

Tredyffrin Township is situated in the eastern part of the 
county and mostly in the Great Valley. It is a portion of the 
famous Welsh Tract, and was settled largely by the Welsh. In 
Welsh the word or prefix Tro means town or township, and Dyffrin 
means valley, hence the meaning of TredyfCrin is the valley town- 
ship. The township was organized as early as 1707, for in that 
year Tliomas David was constable. Following are the names of 
the resident landowners in 1722, showing that the inhabitants were 
nearly all Welsh: 

James Abraham, Morris David, Hugh David, James David, 
8r., John David, Heniy David, James Davies, William Davies, 
Timothy Davies, Stephen Evans, Lewis Evans, William Evans, 
Thomas Godfrey, John Howell, Mark Hubbert, Thomas Hubbert, 
Grififith Jones, Sr. and Jr., Thomas Jerman, Thomas James, Jeukin 



56 



944 CHESTER COUNTY 

Lewis, James Parry, John Robert, Owen Roblyn, Thomas Martin, 
Samuel Richard, John Ricliard, Daniel Walker, and Lewis Walker. 

The population since tlien has <iTadually chanjied, so that at 
the present time other nationalities are largely represented in tlie 
township. 

Uwchlan Township was settled principally by the Welsh, as 
its name implies, Uwchland meaning higher than or above the 
yalley. These first settlere came in under the auspices of David 
Lloyd, who was more than ordinarily able and prominent ^among 
them. David Lloyd took up large tracts of land within this 
original township, selling it off in smaller divisions to settlers. 
The settlement was made about 1712. The first settlers are said 
to have been Samuel and Griffith Jolin, l)rothers and sons of John 
Philips, taking their fatlier's Christian name for tlieir surname 
as was then customary among the Welsh. They were both min- 
isters in the Society of Friends, and neither of them could ever 
speak English without a strong tincture of their native tongue. 
Other early settlers were Morris Reese, Oadwalader John, David 
Evans, Humphrey Lloyd, David Lloyd, a family of Philipses and 
o.ther Welshmen. John Cadwalader purchased 250 acres of land 
from David Lloyd, June 2, 1715, and on January 10, 171(1, sold it 
to Thomas Fell, with the exception of a small piece of ground by 
the side of the King's road, which he allotted for a burying- 
ground, and on which a meeting-house was to be built for the 
use of the Quakers. This piece of ground is now occuiued by the 
Friends' Meeting-house at Lionville. Evan Evans, who came 
from Treeglws, in Montgomeryshire, Wales, in 1722, purchased a 
large tract of land in this township, and his descendants are 
among the prominent citizens of the Uwchlan Townships at the 
present time. His grandson, Evan Evans, was a member of the 
assembly from Chester County from 1780 to 1783. 

Among the early settlers not mentioned above were the fol- 
lowing: John Evans, James Pugh, Robert Benson, John David, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 945 

James Eeese, Joseph Pliipps, Noble Butler, Reese Joues, David 
Davies, Thomas John, and several others. 

This original township v\as divided in 1858, and a new town- 
shiji fonncd by the name of Ujiper Uwchlan, the sonthern jiart 
being- named Lower Uwchlan. From the northeastern pai't iif 
Upper Uwehlan there is an extension into West A^ineent Town- 
ship, this extension originally forming a part of the lands of 8ir 
Mathias A'iucent, Dr. Daniel Cox, and others, and was known as 
Cox & Company's 30,000 acres. The taxes on this land remained 
unpaid from September 29, 1687, until September 20, 171.">, a 
period of twenty-eight years, on which latter date suit was brought 
for their recovery by John Simcock, clerk of the county courts, in 
the name of William Penn, and a writ of execution was granted 
by the court August 30, 1717, imder which 407 acres of the 30,000 
acres were seized and sold by the sheriff, Nicholas Faii'lamb, to 
David Lloj-d of Chester, for £50, and confirmed to him by deed 
dated February 2-1, 1717-18. In 1728 David Lloyd sohl a part uf 
this land, 200 acres, to John A'aughan, and tliis 200 acres after- 
ward became the piioperty of his son, Jonathan Vaughan, who, 
together with his wife, Ann, conveyed the same, together with the 
brick house thereon, knoAvn as the "Red Lion," to Dennis Wheleu. 

Dennis ^Vhelcn also jiurchased other lands adjoining, and 
had in contemplation the selling of lots and the building up of a 
town upon his lands, "where the conveniences are so large that 
several Hundreds of Builders or Tenants may be served with dry 
and wholes(mie lots. Those of them now laid (mt are GO feet wide 
and 250 feet deep, proposed to be lett at thi-ee dollars per annum 
yearly Rent, or the Value thereof, with a condition that the 
Tenants may purchase when they please upou ])aying 20 years' 

Rent. The said Town to be uamed after a place in 

Wales, from whence the late Judge David Lloyd came, who had 
been formerly owner of this place." But Mr. AV'helen's hopes and 
plans failed of realization, and the little village of Lionville is 



946 CHESTER COUXTY 

now standing on the tract where it Avas fondly liopcd tliat a. hirgc? 
and flourishing' town would j^i-ow up under the nauic of Welsh- 
pool. 

Valley Township lies in the western part of the county be- 
tween Cain and Sadsbury. It Was formed in 1852 by decree of 
the court from parts of the townships of West Cain, AVest Brandy- 
wine, East Cain and Sadsbury, and it includes the village of 
Coatesville, which borough was established in 1867, reducing 
Valley Township in size, and its area was again reduced in 1868 
by the erection of Cain Township. The township is now about 
one-half its original size. 

Coatesville wa.s incorporated by the ('ourt of Quarter Ses- 
sions in 1867, and was named in honor of the Coates family. It 
embraces territory on both sides of the Brandy wine. The I*enn- 
sylvauia Eailroad and the Wilmington liailroad both pass through 
this town, and contribute much to its prosperity, which, however, 
dei^ends more upon the manufacturing establishments located 
there. A village known as Midway, situated on the Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad west of the Brandywine, was included in the limits 
of Coatesville at the time of its incorporation, and is frequently 
referred to as West Coatesville. 

Vincent Township lies northwest of East and West Pikeland. 
On the earliest map of the Province the territory now embraced 
within the limits of East and West Vincent Townships is given 
in the names of Sir Mathias Vincent, Adrian Vrouzeu, Benjoluui 
Furl 03^ and Dr. Daniel Cox. French Creek, which passes through 
the township, was at one time called Vincent Eiver, and the tract 
of land was fre<iuently Cox & Company's 20,000 acres. 

The history of the early settlement of this township is un- 
usually interesting. Benjohan Furloy, named above, as agent for 
William Penn, conveyed on March 7, 1682, 5,000 acres of land in 
the Province of Pennsylvania to Burgomaster Adrian A'rouzen, of 
Rotterdam, Holland, who, on June 10, 1704, conveyed the same 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 947 

lands to Beujuliau Fiirloy, son of tlie first named Dr. Daniel dx, 
or Coxe, the name being spelled both ways, was seized of a tract 
of laud containino- 10,000 acres, Iviu.u between the Schuylkill and 
Vincent Rivers, wliich in 1()82 he ordered to be divided into two 
equal parts, on one of Avhich several families were then already 
settled. Of the other part he "ranted on November 22, 1082, 1,000 
acres to John Clapp of the Province of Carolina, 100 acres of 
Avliich were to lie on the ^^chuylkill, and Clapp Avas to pay to Dr. 
Coxe a yearly rental of one grain of corn per year for the first 
six years, and afterward the yearly rent of £4 Os. 

William Penu also sold to Major Robert Thompson of New- 
iugton (Ireeu, Middh^sex County, England, 10,000 acres of land in 
Pennsylvania, April 20, 1G8G, which lands lay in this township, 
and which at length became the property of Joseph Reed, Thomas 
Willing and Robert Morris, all of Philadel])hia, the ]n-ice paid Oy 
them for the 10,000 acres being £5,500. Joseph Reed sold his 
interest to the other jiarties December 10, 1783, for £2,000, and a 
]tatent was granted to Morris and Willing June 28, 1787, for 
10,098 acres in Vincent, called Westover. On December 1, 1789, 
Morris sold his interest tct Willing for £12,000. This land covered 
the parts of East and West A'inceut adjoining Coventry, and a 
patent was granted for the lemainder of the land in Vincent to 
the West New Jersey Society, the number of acres being 10,008^ 
acres, December 5, 1791. 

This Township was settled much in the same manner as Pike- 
land, leases being taken with the right to purchase reserved, And 
it was only when the tenants became the owners of their lands 
that marked and steady improvement became the order of the 
day. Among the early settlers were such men as the Ralstons, 
Jenkinses, Davises, John and Michael Paul, Gordon, Dennis Whelen 
and Garret Brombac. The latter gentleman established the first 
tavern north of the Lancaster route. It was in a little house of 
rude construction, but in it he performed the duties of host for 



948 CHESTER COUNTY 

many years, eventually becoming a rich man. The name Brom- 
bac lias since his day been changed to Brownback. 

A'incent Township was divided into East and West Vincent 
in 1832, and the borough of t^priugfield was taken from the eastern 
part of East Vincent in 1867, the name being changed to Spring 
City in 1872. 

Wallace Township lies in the northwestern part of the county, 
and was formed in 1852 by the division of West Nantmeal. It 
includes very nearly the same territory as the ancient manor of 
Si»rington. The name of Springton was first given to this town- 
ship, but the next year, upon application to the Legislature, 
the name was changed to Wallace, in honor of Eobert Wallace, 
the settlers therein being mainly at that time of Scotch-Irish 
origin. According to some of the early settlers tlie land was 
promised to them at the rate of £45 per hundred acres. Among 
the early settlers in this township were the families of Mackelduff, 
McFeeterr, Alexander, Henderson, Starrett, Mackey and Kennedy. 
Tlie elevation of this township above the level of the sea has always 
made it a I'emarkably healthy place, and up to 1880, according to 
Judge Futhey, only four physicians had resided within its limits, 
tliese four being Drs. Thomas Harris, Thomas Kennedy, Benjamin 
Griffith and Joseph T. Gi'ier. 

In 1853 a small portion of 'Wallace was added to Uwchlan, 
and in 1800 the line next to East and West Nantmeal was slightly 
changed. 

Warwick Township lies in the northern part of tiie county, 
bordering on Berks County and between North Coventry and West 
Nantmeal. It was formed in 1812 from East Nantmeal, and de- 
rived its name from Warwick Furnace, within its limits. The cast- 
ing of the Franklin stoves, an invention of Benjamin Franklin, 
was done at this furnace, the making of which was in charge of Rob- 
ert Grace, who married the widow of Samuel Nutt, Jr., and accord- 
ing to Dr. Benjamin Franklin, "found the casting of the plates for 
these stoves a profitable thing, as they were growing in demand." 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 949 

In 18(J0 the line between East and West Xantmeal was slightly 
thanged, and East Xantmeal was altered at its western end, a por- 
rion of Warwick being added thereto. For many years were de- 
void of railroad facilities, bnt now the Wilmington and Northern 
and the East Brandywine Kailroads supply this deticiency in an 
admirable manner. The French Creek Branch of the Wilmington 
and Northern Railroad, opened up about 1879, to the Warwick Fur- 
nace, is another valuable addition to the facilities of travel and 
transportation. 

Westtown Township lies in the southeastern part of the 
county, and is a long and narrow rectangular parallelogram, five 
and a half miles long by about a mile and a half in width. The 
longer axis of this tract runs east-northeast. Tt is worthy of note 
in this connection that in most of the early surveys east of the 
Brandywine and south of the Great Valley, the lines were run 
east-northeast or north-northwest, to conform to the general course 
<^)f the Delaware River; while those in the southwestern ])art of the 
county were run in the main to correspond with the cardinal points. 
In the northeastern part of the county the lines were run at right 
angles with or parallel to the general direction of the Schuylkill 
River. It is said that Westtown was so named because of its lo- 
cation relatively to Easttown, and was probably laid out as early 
as 1685, succeeding Thornbury as to date of survey. 

Among those who owned land early in this township, some 
of whom were pei'haps among the early settlers, were the following: 
Richard Collett, Richard Whitpaine, Barnabas Wilcox, Mathias 
Evans, John Eluny, John Bond, Thomas Coeburn, Thomas Rous, 
Benjamin Furlory, John Brazo, John Waite, Joshua Hastings, 
John Marsh, Mary Finch and Richard Sneed. 

Others whft came in about 1700 were Daniel Hoopes, who was 
the first constable in the township. Aaron James became a land- 
owner in 1700, as also did Benjamin Hickman. John Bowater pur- 
chased land in this township in 1701, and was probably living 



950 CHESTER COUNTY 

there for some time prior to his death in 1705. The laud owned by 
Barnabas Wilcox, mentioned above as probably among the early 
settlers, passed into the hands of the Gibbons family, and at length 
was purchased by the Friends for the Westtown Boarding School. 

Willistown Township, which lies between Easttown and East 
Goshen, was organized as a township about 1704. Thomas Gar- 
ret was its first constable in 1705. While a large part of this 
townshij} was within the limits of the Welsh Tract, yet numerous 
surveys were made for other parties. Among the earliest settlers, 
according to Hon. Joseph J. Lewis, were Griffith Jones, Thomas 
Brassey, Thomas Bowman, William Garrett, Samuel Lewis and 
Joseph Barker & Co., the latter belonging to or being connected 
in some way with the Free Trade Society. Above them lay the 
Welsh Tract, including the lands of James Stanfleld, eTohn Hort, 
Anthony Sturdges, James Claypool, William Wood and ^Villiam 
Sharlow. In addition to the above, according to Judge Futhey, 
were the families of Hibberd, Massey, Smedle^', Thomas, Gan-ett 
and Yarnall, and many of their descendants inhabit the township 
even down to the present day. 

It was in this township that a tribe of Indians, known as the 
Okehockings, held lauds by special grant from the commissioner 
of property, mentioned in the chapter on Indian occupation. 

Whiteland Township was organized aboiit 1701, its first set- 
tler being probably Richard Thomas, mentioned in the sketch of 
Goshen Townshi]>, in right of Richard ap Thomas of Whitford 
Garden, Flintshire, North Wales. From this shire it is presumed 
that the name Whiteland Avas derived. The house of Richard 
Thomas, built upon his allotment, was near the Valley Creek, and 
in the immediate vicinity of some Indian liuts, the reason for the 
selection of this location being that the dogs in the Indian village 
Avould be of service in keeping away wild beasts, which were then 
numerous in the woods. This little Indian village was named 
in the Indian language, Katamoonchinck, which in English means 
Hazel-nut gi'ove. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 951 

Whitelaiid Township is iu tlie uortbwest part of tlie ori,t;iual 
Welsh Tract of 40,000 acres, which were laid out to them in 1684, 
with the expectation, both on their part and on that of William 
Penn, that they should be a separate barony, managino- tlieir own 
municipal affairs in their own way. They also, of course, desired 
and expected to retain the use of their own lanjjuage, but subse- 
<iuent events rendered the entire scheme impracticable. The north- 
and west lines of this survey have, for the most part, been retained 
as township lines, but on the south other surveys so encroached 
that the original boundaries of this tract have become obliterated. 
The northern line of the original Welsh Tract is distinctly visible 
on the ma]i of Cliester County, running from the southeastern cor- 
ner of Schuylkill Townshij) toward the west until it reaches tiie 
northwestern corner of what is now West Whiteland Township, 
and from this point southward between West Whiteland and West 
Goshen Townships on the east, and East Cain and East Bradford 
on the west, until it reaches Westtown Township. 

The constables of Whiteland Township, prior to 1726, Avere 
as follow^s: In 1710, Isaac Maliu, then in succession, James 
Thoms, Edward Kinneson, Lewis Williams, David Meredith, Sr., 
Evan Lewis, Eees Pritchard, Thonuxs Owen, .James Rowland, James 
David, Richard Anderson, Isaac Richardson^ Thomas James, John 
Spruce, Owen Thomas and Evan IMiilips. The first supervisor was 
James Thomas, in 1714, and the first overseers of the poor were 
George Aston and John Spruce, in 1730. This township was di- 
vided into East and West ^^■hiteland in 1765, and is situated wholly 
within the choicest part of the Great Valley. 

A'^alley Forge, one of the most liistoric s]»ots in tlic I'liilcd 
States, lies ])avtly in Chcstei- County and jtartly in MoiirgoiiH'iy 
County, Valley Creek being the c-ounty line It is on the IMiihi- 
del])liia and Reading Railway, four miles from riioMiixvillc and 
twenty-two miles from Philadelphia, and on the a\ est side of r'lc 
classic Schuylkill. That iiortion lying in Chester County contains 
about l."() inhabitants, one general store ke])t by .Inlm .Mnlvam-y, a 



952 CIIEtiTER COUNTY 

hotel kept by Jaines Tloy and a hall iu Avhioh the lodge of P. S. O. A, 
hold their meetiugs. On the Moutgomerv side of the line Mrs. 
Sarah Shaw keeps the Washington Hotel, where travelers and 
tonrists, of Avhicli tliei'e are in certain seasons of the year con- 
siderable numbers, niostlv stop. The population of the jdace as a 
whole is not so large as fornunly, for the reason thai such indus- 
trial establishments as once existed there luiA-e now ceased to be. 

In the early jiart of the lU'esent century there Avas a hirge 
cotton factory here, a grist-mill and numerous other buildings^, 
which were operated by water jiower derived from Valley Creek, 
A\ hich at one time ^^ as said to be the tinest in Pennsylvania, the 
stream passing between t'wo abrujjt hills distant more than a mile 
from the village. Near the base of these hills, named Mount Joy 
and M(nint Misery, and their northern termination, there was con- 
sti-ncted a large dam more tlian twenty feet in height, and in cou- 
sefjueuce even in tiie dryest season there was an abundance of 
water power to kee]) manufacturing business in full operation. 

Jiut it is of the burning of the N'alley Forge, or rather of the 
buildings connected thei-eMith, that it is desired here more par- 
ticularly to mention. This wa.s by a detachment of British soldiers 
under command of Colonel Grey. It was previcms to the American 
army encani]iiug at this ]>lace and while the ])ossession of the city 
of Philadelphia during the ensuing winter Avas still a nuitter of 
uncertainty, that A'alley Forge was selected as a place suitable 
for the de])ositiiig of military st(U-es, arms and ammunition and 
])ro\isions belonging to the (Vrntinenlal army, the selection being 
made because of its secluded situation ami distance from the sup- 
l)osed route of the army under (jeneral HoAA'e on its march from 
the ('hesa])eake to foi-m a junction Avith (Jeneral Burgoyne, aa'Iio 
Avas on his Avay fi-oiu Canada to take ])ossession of Philadelphia. 
Among the inhabitants of the surrounding country were some Avho 
sympathized Avith British interests, jind it Avas one of those Avho 
piloted the detachment of British soldiers to Valley I-'orge, Avho 
destroyeil the buildings, the stores, arms, ammunition and pro- 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 



953 



visious wliicii bud beeu tlfpossitt'd in fancied security near the 
banks of the Schuylkill. 

Iron was then being manufactured at Valle.y Forge by a Mr. 
William Dewees, in connection witli some of the members of the 
Potts family, and Mr. Dewees, in part because of his marx'iage into 
this family, founded a claim against the American Government for 
damages and losses sustained by thf burning of the buildings at 
the Forge. This claim about nine years after his death was suc- 
cessfully prosecuted by bis widow and heirs, and it is proper here 
to note that tlie main reason of the burning of the Forge was that 
Col. Dewees was well known to be a sympathizer with and strung 
.sujiporter of the American cause. 

Following is a most interesting statement of the headquarters 
of the several officers in General Washington's army during the 
famous winter of 1777-78, together with the then owners or lessees 
of the places and the names of the present owners: 

lieadcpiarters of General Officers at Valley Forge Encamp- 
ment during 1777-78: 

78. 



Officers' Names. 
Gi'iieral AVashiugtou. 
Gfiieral Knox. 
Conut Pulaski aud Gen- 
eral I'our. 
I.oi-d Sterling. 
General Huntington. 

General Mifflin. 

\ General Woodford. 
'l Connt Diiportail. 
MnrQuis de Lafayette. 
• ieueral Scott. 
General Mclntosli. 
General Morgan. 
General Mulileuberg. 
General Sullivan. 
General Green. 
General Potter. 
General Wayne. 
\ General W'eedon 
"/ Baron De Kalb. 
(ieneral Varnum. 
General Lee. 



and 



Owner or Lessee 171 
Issac Potts, Owner. 
Samuel Brown, Owner. 

Jolm Reaver's Estate. 
Rev. \\'illiaui Currie. 
/acliary Davis. Lessee of 

.Maurice Stepliens. 
A\'illiani Godfrey, Tenant, 

Thomas Waters, Owner. 

.Idbn Llavard. 

Samuel llavard. Owner. 
Samuel .Tones, Owner. 
.Tosejili .Mann. (Colored). 
Mordecai Jloore, Owner. 
.Tolin Moore. Owner. 
Thomas W'aters, Owner. 
Isaac Walker, Tenant. 
Jacob W'alker, Owner. 
•Joseph Walker, Owner. 

.Vbijah Stephens, 

David Stephens. 
L)avid llavard. 



Owner, 1898. 
Valley Forge Cen. Ass'n. 
Matthews. 

Francis Wood. 
Henry S. Evans. 

Ileston Todd. * 



Davi<l llavard's Estate. 

Edward Wilson's Estate. 
Abram Latch. 

.T. W. .\ndrews. 
Edwin .Aloore's Estate. 
-Mordecai Davis. 
Matthe^v Walker. 
Havard Walker. 
W. H. Walker. 

Abram Fisher. 

W'illiam Stephens. 
A. J. Cassatt. f 



*Hut of Baron Steuben was located on this farm. 

-i-Thomas Bradford, deputy commissary officer to the prisoners, was quartered 
here. General Lee remaining only a short time. 



CHAPTER XX. 

AGRICULTURE. &C. 



('HA]'TE1{ XX. 

AGRICULTURE AND DAIRYING — EARLY METHODS THE SliIL — PRODUCTS 

REAPERS AND MOWERS — THRESHING MACHINES — AGRICULTURAL EXHIBI- 
TIONS — HORTICULTURE SHEEP — PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY DAIRY 

INTERESTS — MILLING — CARNATIONS — GENERAL CROPS NURSERIES 

AND GREEN HOUSES BOTANICAL GARDENS STATISTICS. 

IX couuectioii with sucli remarks as may be made on tlie 
subject of agriculture in this work, it is proper at the outset to 
note the fact that on this, as (m most other subjects, the men 
selected to represent the people in the Legislatures of the several 
States are better informed than are the people themselves, and 
have higher and more comprehensive views of the necessities and 
possibilities of the calling. This fact has a deep and wide mean- 
ing to those capable of appre<-iating it, it being a solemn and per- 
sistent tribute of the people to intelligence, and a sure guarantee 
of the perjietuity of the Republic so long as the people have 
sufficient intelligence to ])ay this tribute to intelligence. 

Tlial tlic \aluc of agiiciiltnrc to tlic community at large was 
early appreciated in Pennsylvania is evident from the fact that a 
message Avas laid before the Assembly by the President and 
( 'ouncil of the Province on January 19, 1TS4, from which the fol- 
lowing is an extract: 

"It is our most earnest wish that the General Assembly may 
always cherish and patronize in a very distinguished manner tliat 
basis of Pennsylvania's commerce, agriculture, by their assistance 
of the useful discoveries that have been or shall be made in coun- 
tries longer settled may soon be introduced and be generally 
communicated, that otherwise might remain little known here for 
ages to come. The ingenious and learned gentlemen that coin- 

957 



95 S CHESTER COUNTY 

pose the Philosoplik-al Hociety, we are assured, would rejoice to 
execute the generous desijius of the Legislature, aud would faith- 
fully apply and account for any sums of money that should, be 
comuiitted to their management for this purpose. 

"Another great encouragement of agriculture would be af- 
forded by rendering- purchases of land more safe. This might, in 
a measure, be abolished by quieting- possessions after a reasonable 
term of years, and by having the records in all the public offices 
kept in a manner easy to be prescribed, so that a title could l)e 
readily traced through them," etc. 

That the early inhabitants of Chester County looked to agri- 
culture mainly as a means of support is evident, from the fact that 
they, in 1683, adopted a. seal, or, in other words, that a seal was 
adopted by the Council which met at Chester that year, on which 
the main device was a. plow. In an eai'ly stage of civilization, and 
in the early settlement of a new counti-y, agriculture gradually 
sui)plants hunting- and fishing as a means of livelihood for the iu- 
habitants. Commerce and manufactures, and a varied industry 
come in process of time, and mark the advance of civilization. 

As has been elsewhere remarked in this history, the trees that 
covered the country when it was first visited by Europeans were 
very large, and stood at considerable distances from each other, 
for which reason the early settlers, instead of cutting down large 
quantities of timber, nmking log and brush heaps, and then burn- 
ing it all to ashes, were in the habit of girdling the trees so as 
to kill them, and let them stand, burning the branches as they fell 
to the ground. The progress made in clearing up the land was 
necessarily slow, as it was well that it should be, for the clearing 
of a country has an appreciable effect upon its climate. In 1784, 
the year in which the action recommended above by the Presi- 
dent and Council of the Province was made, the farms averaged 
in size from aboiit 100 to 200 acres of land, and there was in culti- 
vation from four to nine per cent. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 959 

The laud iu Chester Coimty is unusually fertile. ludian corn, 
of which there then were fewer varieties than now, was much cul- 
tivated in comparison with other cereal crops. Barley, oats, rye 
and wheat were all early cultivated, barley beins used mainly in 
the manufacture of malt, and sold up to about 1822 to Phila- 
delphia brewers. But about that time the farmers of Chester 
and Delaware Counties, laboring under the impression that the 
brewA's were combined to keep the price of barley down as low 
as possible, formed the Farmers' Brewing Company, and them- 
selves erected a brewery at Filbert and Tenth Streets, Phila- 
delphia. This venture, however, was a failure, and the brewery 
was eventually sold at a considerable loss to the stockholders, and 
from that time the cultivation of barley gradually diminished 
until about 1840, when it practically ceased. 

In the earlier days rye was much depended upon for a bread 
cereal, some of the patriots during the Revolutionary War saying 
they would rather eat rye bread during their entire lives than 
surrender their liberty and sell posterity. Buckwheat and flax 
were also generally raised during the eighteenth century, but 
ueithey is now raised to any considerable extent. With regard to 
clover seed it may be said that while it was early introduced into 
the county, probably from Lancaster County, yet its use did not 
keep pace with its value as a feed crop or as a fertilizing crop. 
Yet about 1840 there were numbers of clover hullers in Chester 
County, which have since then gradually gone out of use, and the 
clover seed now used comes in from the West. 

The method of reaping grain is clearly indicated by the re- 
cital of the incident below, by a farmer of Chester County, pub- 
lished in the papers of the time, about 1818: "Being called upon 
to assist a neighbor near the close of harvest in reaping his 
grain, an ancient and respectable woman came out of the house to 
show us her dexterity at reaping. I, being on the leading laud, 
of what are called double lands, she chose to be a partner for me. 
57 



96o CHESTER COUNTY 

We sat in — she reaped as fast as anyone, bandied and laid hei* 
Crain to admiration. She reaped a considerable distance witb 
us. Eut what is most remarkable, she iut'ornied us she was one 
hundred years old, which we were well assured she was." 

That men in those days were not satisfied with the slow 
processes then in vo<;ue in cutting hay and grain by means of the 
sickle and scythe, is indicated by the fact tliat at least as early 
as 1824 a successful moAviug-machine was invented by two of 
Chester County's citizens. A certain writer, presumably the 
editor of the Village liecord, under date of July 10, 1824, re- 
lates an incident connected with such an invention, Avhich took 
place a short time before. He says: "On Fi-iday, the 2nd of this 
month, I went to view a new mowing-machine, formed by Messrs. 
Ezra Cope and Thomas Hoopes, Jr. It is in some respects like 
that of Mr. Baily, but whether considered as an improvement on 
his, or a new invention, I am not able to say. But of this I am 
satisfied, that it cannot fail to prove eminently useful to the 
farmer. It has cut this season two acres in two liours. And it 
can cut a field of eleven acres in nine hours, calculating the time 
the horses were hitched to it (not including the time of rest), -so 
that it may be safely said that it will now mow neatly an acre of 
stoiit grass an hour." Mr. Baily's machine, referred to in this 
extract, was patented by him in 1822 — Jeremiah Baily of East 
Marlborough. The machine invented by Cope & Hoopes, the 
working of which has just been described, was patented by them 
in 1825, and there were fifty or more of them made. It was in 
use for several years with tolerable success, but it was succeeded 
by what was known as the Allen machine, made by Caleb Pierce 
and his partners, Lee and Thompson, at Ercildoun, in East Fal- 
lowfleld, in 1854, about which time the Pennock mowing-machine 
appeared. For some years E. T. Cope & Son were engaged in 
making mowing-machines, building a large number of what they 
called the "Buckeve Mowing-machine." 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 961 

Mr. Baily's mowing-machiue, mentioned above, was first ex- 
hibited in West Chester, August 17, 1821, being on that day put in 
operation in a field belonging to John Jefteris, in the presence of 
the Agricultural Society, the vice-president and several other mem- 
bers. This machine was described as having a circular scythe, 
about five and a half feet in diameter, and was put in motion by 
horses, one or two, harnessed to it as to a cart. It cut grass at 
the rate of an acre in thirty-six minutes. The next Saturday, Au- 
gust 18, it cut the grass in the meadow of Joseph Taylor. 

Attention was given early to the raking of hay in other ways 
than by hand, always laborious and slow. The first hay-rake in 
Chester County, of which any information could be obtained, was 
made by a farmer visited by Ilalliday Jackson, whose name Mr. 
Jackson, for some reason, failed to communicate with his descrip- 
tion of the rake he saw at work. This rake was in operation in 
1820, and the next year Mr. Jackson made one for his own use, 
which he described as consisting of a piece of white oak scantling, 
ten feet long and about three and a half by two inches in size. The 
holes for the teeth were bored with an inch auger, three and a 
half inches apart, the teeth being of dry, tough hickory, and eight- 
een inches long, the under sides dubbed off at the points, so as 
to prevent them sticking in the ground. For the handles two 
holes were made with the same auger, the handles slanting up- 
ward like the handles of a plow. A staple was fixed at a distance 
of two feet from each end, to which the horse was hitched by 
chains long enough to prevent his heels coming in contact with 
the teeth, and when the rake was full of hay it had to be lifted up 
and carried over the windrow. While this was an awkward pat- 
tern of a machine, yet Mr. Jackson said that, with a boy to ride the 
horse, he could gather as much hay as five common men could with 
the hand rake. Afterward Moses Pennock, aided by his neigh- 
bor, Samuel Pierce, added teeth to the other side of the head and 
found means to so make it that, when it was full of hay, or upon 



962 CHESTER COUNTY 

comiuji" to the windrow, it fonld be emptied by revolving it, so 
that to stop and lift it over the windrow was no longer necessary. 
Since that time great improvements have been made in hay ralies, 
the steel toothed, wheel rake having long since superseded almost 
every other kind. 

Mention has already been made of the method of reaping wheat 
with the sickle, which women handled with almost equal skill with 
the men. While farmei's were generally slow to give up the 
sickle, yet the cradling scythe began as early as 1800 to take its 
place, but this kind of a cradle the women could not rock, as it 
"^" cut so much more grain at a swing that only the strongest men 
could handle it throughout the entire day, cutting from two to 
four, or perhaps five acres in a day, under favorable conditions. 
Cradles were manufactured by Joseph Smith of Newlin Township, 
and also by James Embree of Marshallton, the latter of whom in- 
vented a machine for turning scythe poles, which was patented in 
1S44. 

In the early days thrashing Avas mostly done by means of the 
^ flail, though occasionally the Bible method of treading it out with 
horses was employed. In 1770 mention is made of an "Act to 
invest John Clayton with an exclusive privilege and benefit of 
making and selling a machine for thrashing wheat on a model 
invented by him." But this machine, while it indicates the fact 
that the necessity of some other method of thrashing than by 
the flail cannot have met with much success. The first thrashing 
machine which attracted much attention iii Chester County, so far 
as could be ascertained by the writer of this chapter, was one manu- 
factured by Thomas Fenn, and was called Ballon & McDonald's 
thrashing machine. It was in operation at the barn of Richard 
Strode early in the summer of 1826, and thrashed "forty dozen of 
wheat an hour, large growth and bound with double bands." The 
expense of erecting a durable machine complete was $15; the horse 
power cost |25, and for varying the consti'uction of the boxes, |5; 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 963 

total cost, |45. The thrashing machine proper was in this case 
designed to be stationarj-, and each farmer was expected to have 
one of his own. 

On January 15, 1830, Warren's thrashing-machine was pat- 
ented, and in the following July Joseph P. Sharpless advertised 
that he had purchased the right to sell this machine in East and 
West Bradford Townships, East and West Goshen Townships, and 
in Brandywine Township. He also offered patent i-ights for sale 
in those townships, single patents, flO. The machines, ready- 
made, sold for the following prices: Two-horse power machines, 
$40; one-horse power machines, |30, and those operated by hand, 
•f25. The two-horse power machine would thrash, with the as- 
sistance of two men and a boy, 120 bushels of wlieat i>er day. 

Since that time great progress has been made in the nature 
and style of thrashing machines, as well as in the motive power, 
horses having given way to steam, and the portable steam-engine 
in part to the powerful and somewhat cumbrous traction-engine. 

So far as can be ascertained, the better class of mowing-ma- 
chines, such as the Ketchum, made in Baltimore, the McCormicii, 
made in Chicago, the Manny, and the Buckeye, made in Akron, 
Ohio, were brought into Chester County from 1850 to 1865. The 
precise date when each or any of them first appeared here would 
be difficult to determine. The self-binder reaping-machine was 
introduced about 1883, and the steam thrashing machine came in 
about 1888, the steam traction-engine coming in about the same 
time. 

As showing what was thought at an early day of the possible 
value of the Chester County Agricultural Society to the farming 
community, it may be stated that a certain devout writer, in a 
communication to the daily press, in 1821, made use of the follow- 
ing language: 

"Had it not been for the original transgression (of Adam and 
Eve in the Garden of Eden), all knowledge necessary would have 



964 CHESTER COUNTY 

beeu iutiiitive. Distinct professorshiiis of phj-sic, law, divinity, 
etc., would have beeu unkuoAvn. Knowledge now attainable by 
the few would then have beeu accessible to all, nor would the 
Ayricultiual Society, gentlemen, have been of any utility, had not 
this amonji many other lamentable denunciations been issued 
against our tirst parents: 

"Cursed is the ground for their sake," etc. 

It Avas in 1821 that John Cox, on the French Creek farm, raised 
a hog which was very large and which he sold for .$50. He was 
eight and a half feet long, seven and a half feet girth, and was 
estimated to weigh 800 pounds. 

It is believed that the first agricultural exhibition held in 
Chester County was that of the State Agricultural Society, at Pa- 
oli, October 22, 23, and 24, 1823, which was the tirst held by that 
society. 

In 1838 au agricultural society for Chester and Delaware Coun- 
ties was organized, which held exhibitions for several years, one 
of them being held at West Chester in 1845. 

About this time Chester County Horticultural Society was 
organized, and, after holding a few exhibitions, erected a hall, 
called horticultural hall, in 1848, for an annual disjjlay of fruits, 
tlowers and vegetables, and this was continued for several years, 
the building being afterward used for the accommodation of teach- 
ers' institutes, lectures and other entertainments. 

For the purpose of sliowing tlie si2e of sheep raised in the early 
days in Chester CountA^, the following facts are taken from the 
"Kegister of Pennsylvania,'' for March 12, 1831: John Bradley of 
"\Mllistown had twelve sheep in nmrket for the 22d of February 
of the following weights: 105, 108i, 123^, 105i, 125|, 121, 121, 110, 
123, 115, 128 and 124. Joseph Gheen of Goshen had four Aveighing 
as follows: 125, 113|, 112 and 103. These Avere the Aveights of 
the carcasses dressed. John James of East Bradford sent to the 
I'hiladelphia market ten sheep of the folloAving weights: 153, 142, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 965 

Uli, 135i, 121, 117, lO^i, 1254-, llSi and 125; total, 1282, or a trifle 
over 128 pounds each, dressed. 

Jesse McCall sent to market a fine fat ox, weighing 1,125^ 
pounds, and T. S. Woodward of East Bradford had two slaughtered, 
weighing respectively 1,389 and 1,221 pounds. Samuel Worth of 
East Bradford slaughtered one that weighed 1,488 pounds, and T. 
Hickman, two, weighing 1,289 and 1,151 pounds. 

The Chester County Agricultural Society was organized in 
Horticultural Hall April 25, 1853, John J. Parker being president 
of the meeting, Jacob Massey and John Baldwin, vice-presidents, 
and James Pierce and Alexander MarshalP secretaries. A com- 
mittee consisting of Dr. J. E. Wajker and John S. Bowen prepared 
a constitution for the society, which provided for a president, four 
vice-i^resideuts, a corresponding secretary, two recording secre- 
taries and one treasurer, and also a committee of ten on agri- 
cultural matters, all to be elected annually. Semi-annual meetings 
were provided for, to be held on tlie last Mondays in April and 
October, and there were to be annual meetings to provide for such 
exhibitions as the society might determine to give. 

At a meeting held June 18, 1853, the following officers were 
*hosen : 

President, Isaac W. \an Leer; vice-presidents, Paschall 
Worth, John D. Evans, Dr. Ebenezer V. Dickey and Lewis Bi-inton; 
corresponding secretary, J. Lacey Darlington; recording secreta- 
ries, Alexander Marshall and James H. Bull, and treasurer, Dr. 
George Thomas. The executive committee elected was composd 
of the following gentlemen: Abraham R. Mcllvaine, Dr. Isaac 
B. Walker, Joseph Dowdall, Gen. Geoi'ge Hartman, Nathan Wal- 
ton, Jacob Massey, William E. Dripps, John Parker, Abner Gar- 
rett and John J. Monaghan. 

Committees wei'e appointed to report on the prevalence and in- 
jurious effects of the fly in wheat; on the subject of deep plowing; 
on the i>otato plant and the best varieties and modes of culture; on 
the culture of barley, and on the utility of guano as a fertilizer. 



966 CHESTER COUNTY 

An exhibition was held September 16 and 17, 1853, which was 
highly successful and gave gr.eat satisfaction to the agricultural 
community especially, the committee of arrangements being James 
Powell, Emmor Elton, Oliver T. Jefferis, George D. Ashbridge and 
Henry D. Sharp. 

At a meeting held at the court-house in West Chester January 
21, 1854, J. Lacey Darlington, M. B. Hickman and Benjamin J. Pass- 
more were appointed a committee to confer with gentlemen who 
purposed buying a lot, with a view of leasing it to the society for 
the purpose of holding annual fairs, and a committee was also 
appointed to procure a charter for the society. 

Emmor Brinton was awarded a special prize or premium of 
|5 for having raised 170 bushels of wheat on four and three-fourths 
acres of land. 

The officers for 1854 were as follows: Isaac Van Leer, presi- 
dent; corresponding secretary and treasurer, J. Lacey Darlington; 
recording secretaries, J. H. Bull and William Torbet Ingram. 
They were the same for 1855, 1856, and 1857, except that William 

D. Suger was one of the recording secretaries. 

During the year 1856, the society purchased ten acres of land 
in the borough of West Chester, with a view to the erection of 
permanent fixtures thereon, in Avhich to hold the future exhibitions 
of the society, and a trotting course of one-fourth of a mile in cir- 
cumference was laid out and graded, and included by a strong 
post and one-rail fence. The cost of the ground was |4,000 and the 
expense of fitting it up was |2,150. 

The officers remained the same as last given for 1858 and 1859. 
In 1S60 D. B. Hinmau was elected president; J. Lacey Darlington, 
corresi^onding secretary and treasurer, and William D. Siiger and 

E. H. Townsend, recording secretaries. In 1861 and 1862 the offi- 
cers remained the same. In 1863 Charles E. Heister was elected 
president; J. Lacey Darlington, corresponding secretary, and E.'H. 
Townsend and William Sharpless, recording secretaries. The 



AXD TTS PEOPLE. 967 

same officers served iu 180-t and lS(io, and iu ISGG, except that C. 
H. Kinnard became one of the recording secretaries, in place of 
E. H. Townsend. 

In 1867 the president elected was J. Lacey Darlington; ti'eas- 
urer, E. H. Townsend; William Sharpless, corresi^onding secretaiy, 
and C. H. Kinnard and Charles Fairlamb, recording secretaries. 
During ISGS and 1SG9 the officers were the same as in 1SG7. In 
1868 the "Model and Experimental Farm for the Eastern District 
of Pennsylvania" was located in Londongrove Township, Chester 
County, the farm of Thomas Harvey being purchased for this pur- 
pose for about $3,000. 

In 1870 Evans Rogers was elected president; George M. Ru- 
pert, corresponding secretary; Fred D. Reid and John F. Ingram, 
recording secretaries, and Thomas U. Marshall, treasurer. In 1871- 
Evans Rogers was again elected president; Joseph T. Murtagh, cor- 
responding secretary; John F. Ingram and William H. Morgan, re- 
cording secretaries, and Fred D. Reid, treasurer. In 1872 and 1873 
the officers remained the same. In 1874 the only changes made were 
that Josiah Hoopes became corre.sijonding secretary and W. H. 
Morgan, treasurer. In 1875, 1876, 1877 they remained the same 
and also in 1878, except that A. M. Eachus became treasurer, and 
A. M. Eachus and John F. Ingram recox'ding secretaries. In 1879, 
1880 and ISSl the officers remained the same, and in 1882 also, with 
the exception that Jefferson Shaner was elected president. There 
was no change then in officers until 1888, when they were as fol- 
lov>'s: Fred D. Reid, treasurer; Joseph Kilt, Jr., corresponding sec- 
retary, and A. M. Eachus and Tliomas J. Edge, recording secre- 
taries. In 1889 they remained as in 1888. 

In 1800 Henrj' Durnall became recording secretary in place 
of A. M. Sharpless, and J. Preston Thomas became treasurer. In 
1891 Barclay Lear became recording seci'etary in place of Henry 
Durliall. In 1892 R. E. Monaghan became president, the other 
officers remaining the same. In 1893 the officers remained as in 



968 CHESTER COUNTY 

1S!)2. This was the case also iu 1894, except that Marshall H. 
Matlack became treasurer. In 1895 the changes made were in 
1he recording- secretaries, Fred D. Reid and Thomas J. Edge tak- 
ing tlicse offices. In ISIMI Jesse J. Hickman became president, 
i-nccecding II. E. Monaghan, who died about July 1, 1895. In 
1S97 tlie officers were Jesse J. Hitdiuian, ]iresident; Fred D. Keid, 
c(UTesi»onding secretary; Barclay Lear, recording secretary, and 
Marshall II. Matlack, treasurer. 

These were the last officers elected, Tor the society then be- 
came extinct. In the fall of 1S!»5 the last annual fair was held, 
for in ►September of that year under foreclosure of mortage the 
lu-operty passed into the hands of the West Chester State Normal 
{School. In 1897 the officers of the society would have held a fair, 
hut for the fact that the State Normal School asked |500 for the 
use of the old grounds, the society offering .fl50, and, as no agree- 
ment could be reached, no fair was held. 

The first grange of Patrons of llusbandry was I'ioneei' 
<irange. No. 9, at West tJritve, July 30, 1873, with nineteen 
charter members. Since then there liave been scmiewhat more 
than tAventy granges organized, among them the fcdlowing: 

Kennett (irange. No. 19, September 11, 1873, with nineteen 
cliarter members; Schuylkill Grange, No. 23, September 15, 1873, 
with twenty-five cliarter members; Upper Uwchlan (rrange. No. 
53, December 29, 1873, with eighteen charter members; Urandy- 
wine (xrange. No. (Id, December 39, 1S73, with twenty cliarter 
members; Londongrove (Irange, No. 03, January 1, 1871, witli 
thirty charter members; Oxford Orange, No. ()7, January 2, 1871, 
with twenty-seven charter members; Chester \'alley Orange, No. 
77, January 14, 1874, with twenty charter members; Kussellville 
Orange, No. 91, January 31, 1874, Avith twenty-tive charter mem- 
bers; Willistowu Orange, No. 114, February 17, 1874, with eighteen 
'charter members; Ooshen (irange. No. 121, February 21, 1871, 
Avith cliarter members not known; New London Orange, No. 123, 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 969 

February 23, 1874, with tliii-ty-!six charti'i- ineiiibcr.s; Liucoln 
Grange, Xc*. 130, February 24, 1874, Avitli twenty-two charter 
members; Franklin (irange, No. 141, March 2, 1874, with tliirty 
cliarter members; J.ewisville Grange, No. 180, Marcli 28, 1874, 
with twenty-eight cliarter members; East Lynn Grange, No. 271, 
May 27, 1874, with thirty charter members; Pomona District 
Grange, No. 2, June 3, 1875, with nineteen charter members. 

The granges have been and are of great benefit to Chester 
C\)unty, for they serve to bring fanners togetlun, for the purpose 
of exchanging ideas about tlieir calling, and increasing th;4r 
sociability. There is a county committee, a State committee, and 
a national committee, each of Avhich has its peculiar function to 
perform. Supplies for the farm are purchased much cheaper than 
formerly, wholesale prices being now obtained where formerly re- 
tail prices had to be paid. Tlie secrecy attending the workings 
of the granges in their meetings, are no more objectionable than 
is secrecy in Masonic lodges, or in Grand Army posts, it being 
used only for the protection of the members of the grange. 

The dairy interests of Chester Count}' are large and impctrtant. 
Previous to the war of the Kebellion, and perhaps for some years 
thereafter, the business of dairying was carried on in a far more 
primitive style and manntn" than since that jiericxl. In the earlier 
days each farmer carried on his own dairying in his own way, 
milking his cows, making butter and cheese at home, and feeding 
the refuse to his pigs, all with the a.ssistance of the female mem- 
bers of his family, or with the aid of hired men and women. 
The farmers were accustomed to do all their own marketing in 
Philadelphia, going to that city often in droves, there selling tlieir 
products and making- their purchases, often, if not generally, re- 
ceiving a smaller price for what they had to sell and paying more 
for what they had to buy than now. Butter then sold for what 
was called a "levy" per pound, Avhile now it seldom or perhaps never 
gets so low in the market, except, possibly, the very poorest quali- 



97 o CUE8TER COUNTY 

ties of liome-niaile biitter, which caiinot compete with that made 
by the most improved methods now in voiiue. Much of the hard 
labor connected with early bntter-makiu"^ devolved on the women, 
and it was in ]iart for this reason that farmers gladly drove into 
Philadelphia when livinj;- snfficiently near, and sold their milk to 
the city dealers. This chanj;e, which, tlion<ih for some years seen 
to be comino', was fen" some time opposed by the farmer, because 
he did not fa^'or selling his products off the farm any more than 
seemed to him absolutely necessary; but when it was once begun, 
and especially Avhen it was realized that milk thus sold brought 
seven cents ]K>r quart, farmers made a great effort to secure 
profits from their dairies that could be secured in no other way; 
and by thus rushing to the front soon caused the price of milk to 
fall in jjroportion, or nearly so, with the quantit.y shipped. 

Among those who first sold milk in Philadelphia in the man- 
ner just described were the following: Edward t^eale of Birming- 
ham Township, Samuel Bailey and Mitchell Baker of the same 
townshij>, .John ('. Iluey and (leorge B. Temple of Pennsbury. 
As intimated above many others followed their example, until 
another change had to be made in the manner of disposing of 
dairy products. But while milk was l>eing tlius shii)ped from the 
ditt'erent parts of the county to Philadelphia, it was necessary 
for the railway companies not onlj' to put on extra cars but also 
to run special milk trains, so extensive did the business become, 
tliough as the distance into Philadelphia is so short, it was never 
found necessary to use refrigerator cars.. 

The change which next occurred in the dairy business was 
the establishment of creameries in which the cream was converted 
into butter by means of water or otlier power, thus effecting a 
great saving of labor. One of the first to establish a creamery was 
Isaac Morgan of Parkerville in 1870. He was a farmer who had 
a fine private trade in butter, shipping to Philadelphia and New 
York mainly. His milk was set in large flat Dewitt pans, the 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 9/1 

skimiiiiug being done by baud and tbe cburuiug by water power, 
because that ijower was easily obtained and inexpensive. He made 
a remarkably fine article of butter, and obtained very high prices, 
from 35 to 45 cents per pound in the summer season, and as high 
as 65 cents in the winter season. But it should be borne in mind 
that then it required nearly, if not quite, one-third more milk to 
make a pound of butter than is now required. Others to go into 
the creamery business early were as follows: John I. Carter, 
Chatham; Milton Darlington, Doe Run; Joseph Brosius, Oxford; 
Pennock Sharpless, Edward Brinton in the vicinity of West Ches- 
ter; William Sharpless, George Faucett & Sons; John Gray of 
Union ville; Henry Taylor, and many others. One of the features 
of the creamery business, now almost extinct, was the cooperative 
creamery, in which each farmer selling milk to the creamery had 
to become a stockholder in the concern, and depend upon his profits 
on, the success of the business, which was managed by a board 
made up of a few of themselves. Among the creameries thus es- 
tablished and conducted were the Pikeland Creamery, the Fair- 
mount Creamery, and there was one at Whitford, besides about 
three others, only about half a dozen of them ever having been es- 
tablished, and all of them having now been abandoned, except the 
two first named. One of the alleged reasons for the failure of the co- 
operative creamery, as furnished the writer by men who have been 
engaged in the creamery business, was that, inasmuch as the 
farmer's profit depended altogether on the quality of milk deliv- 
ered to the creamery, some of the farmers were tempted to pour 
Avater in their milk in order to derive an unfair advantage over their 
more honest neighbors. These cooperatives started up from about 
1876 to 1880, and gradually went out of existence for the reason 
named. 

Two methods of setting the milk were in vogue in the earlier 
days of butter making, and down to the introduction of the cream 
separator, which has, in recent years, so completely revolutionized 



972 CHESTER COUNTY 

the making of butter. One of these methods was called the shal- 
low setting and the other the deep setting process. Both depended 
on the greater specific gravity of the milk than of the cream, by 
reason of which the milk settled to the bottom of the pan, the 
cream thus being forced to tlie top. In the deep setting method 
tliere was usually a means of drawing off the milk from the bottom 
of the can, thus leaving the cream in the can alone. When the 
West Chester Dairy was established it was a deep setting estab- 
lishment. This dairy at the present time receives the milk from 
about 1,300 cows, about 22,000 pounds per day. 

At the present time much of the milk delivered at the cream- 
ery is tested as to its quality, and the price paid is governed thereby. 
The cream separator was introduced about 1880 or perhaps a few 
years later. One of the first to thus introduce this revolutionary 
method of making butter was Mr. Edward Brinton, who established 
his creamery in 1882, and set up his separator in 1885. This was 
the Danish Weston Separator, manufactured in Philadelphia. 
Afterward came in the De Laval Separator, and still later the P. 
M. Sharpless Separator, many thousands of which are sold in all 
parts of the civilized world. John I. Carter was also among the 
first to appreciate the value of tliis new method, by which very 
nearly all the cream is obtained from the milk, by which means it 
is possible to sell butter clieaper, but yet, on account of the su- 
perior quality, and still more by the more uniform quality the price 
is, the price does not fall so much as might otherwise be the case. 
All the creameries in the county at the present time are in the 
hands of individuals but two, the Pikeland and the Fairmount, and 
all use the separator, and besides this many individual farmers 
find it profitable to own a separator, and thus remain independent 
of the creamery, selling their butter instead of their milk. 

An industry that was once extensive and profitable to those 
engaged therein and of use to all the inhabitants, but which has 
of recent years gone largely to decay, is the milling business. In 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 975 

precediut;- pages of this chapter meution has beeu made of several 
grist or flouring mills, owned and operated by individuals, but it 
would be impracticable and unnecessary to mention and locate 
tliem all. According to the best opinion, there were, when tliis 
industry was at its height, from two to tliree of these mills in each 
township of the county, in which the flour was manufactured by 
means of buhrs, propelled by water power mainly, though occa- 
si(»nally a mill was fitted up with steam power. By means of these 
millstones flour was not ground so fine as it has been since the in- 
troduction of the roller process, and when this process was intro- 
duced extensively throughout the Western States, where wheat 
has long been raised in comparatively large quantities, and, as a 
consequence, at much less cost than has so far been f(tund prac- 
ticable in the Eastern States, Western flour began to take the 
place of Eastern flour, even in the Eastern States, and thus the 
milling industry in Chester Count}', as well as in other counties in 
this and in other states in the East, began to decline, and the mills 
in Chester County, many of them, gave up the grinding of wheat 
and contented themselves with I'unning _merely as feed mills. 
Other mills in Chester County determined to do what they could 
to keep up with the progress of events, introduced the roller pro- 
cess, and still continue to manufacture flour. It is now estimated 
that there are in existence about one-half as many mills as before 
Western competition began to be felt, which was about 1880. In 
some townships there are not more than one-third as many mills 
as formerly. In some cases the mill buildings have been converted 
into barns, aud in other cases the buildings have gone to decay or 
have been taken down. 

In The early day there were perhaps half a dozen linseed oil 
mills, which have also gone out of use because farmers have 
ceased to raise flax. 

The general destruction of the timber of the county caused 
the saw-mill industry to decline even to a larger extent than tlie 



974 CHESTER COUNTY 

milliuy iudustry, for now there is but little timber to spare. 
Clover hulling has also gone to decay, for the reason that clover 
seed can be shipped into the county cheaper than it can be raised. 

One of the noted industries of Chester County is the growing 
of carnations for the markets of the large Eastern cities. This 
industry is carried on in what is known, from the nature of the 
flowers raised therein, as the Carnation Belt, which extends from 
Concord on the Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Eailway to 
the Chester County line bordering on Maryland, a distance of 
about twenty miles, its average width being about five miles. 

The carnation is a member of the pink family, which is not 
indigenous to Chester County, but which is iudigenous to the 
southern part of Europe. It has been cultivated there for many 
centuries, even from ancient times, for its fragrance and its beauty. 
In its wild state it is of a lilac purple tint, but under cultivation 
it has assumed a wide variety of colors, and numberless combina- 
tions of these colors. Florists group these varieties into three 
classes, viz.: bizarres, flukes and picotees. 

The name carnation is the common name of the Pink Diau- 
thus Caryophyllus, there being seven different varieties of the 
Dianthus. 

The business carried on within the limits of the belt above 
outlined is the growing of carnations, and other plants, and was 
first begun by Charles T. Starr, about one mile below Avondale, 
in 18G5 or 1866. Mr. Starr began in a small way, having but one 
greenhouse, which was only forty feet long. He continued the 
business until his death in 1888, at which time it had assumed 
very large proportions, not only in his own hands but also in the 
number of others therein engaged. It is now an important in- 
dustry, and furnishes a large amount of business to express com- 
panies. 

Mr. Starr was followed in the raising of carnations by Mr. 
William Swayne at Keunett Square, and by Joseph T. Philips at 



AXD ITS PEOPLE. 975 

West Grove, Warren Shelmire at Avoudale, and Thomas F. Seale of 
Uuionville. From that time on others established themselves in 
the business, and there now are several hundreds of different 
establishments thus engaged. The entire output of the belt is 
very large, being shipjied to Xew York, Philadelphia and AYash- 
ingtou maiulj-. Besides carnations there are grown within this 
belt tomatoes and mushrooms, the latter under the benches on 
which the carnations and tomatoes are grown. The growing of 
tomatoes and mushrooms has also become a large and important 
industry.' The wholesale prices of carnations vary from one cent 
to five cents each, according to the season and the size and beauty 
of the flowers. Florists are continually increasing the variega- 
tion of color by the use of seedlings. 

Among those engaged in this pleasant and profitable business 
are the following: 

At Oxford, Mrs. Dickey and Mrs. McCowan; at West Grove, 
Benjamin Connell, Dingee & Conard, the Conard & Jones Com- 
pany, and Joseph T. Philii>s; at Avondale, Warren Shelmire and 
Search; at Toughkennamon, Chambers Bros, and Isaac Larkin; 
at Kennett Square, Edward Swayne, William Swayne, Theodore 
Peunock, William Davis, Thompson Eichards and Joshua Ladley 
•& Sons; at Longwood, Wesley Flowers; at Unionville, Thomas F. 
Seale and G. Love; at Willow Dale, Eakestraw & Pyle; at Concord, 
Pennock Sharpless and Styer Bros. 

As to the general farm crops, such as the cereals, potatoes, it 
can be scarcely said that any one part of the county is better 
adapted to their growth than another. The entire county is ex- 
cellently adapted to the raising of grain and to dairying. The 
same remark applies to the raising of potatoes, both Irish and 
sweet, and also to the cultivation of fruit and berries. The rais- 
ing of tobacco, however, was in years gone by largely can-ied on in 
the southern part of the county, but of late years, on account of 
the reduction of the price, this crop has been to a considerable 
"58 



976 CHESTER COUNTY 

extent abandoned. The sheep industry has also declined to a con- 
siderable extent, which can hardly be said of the raising of cattle. 
The agricultural report of 1S9G states that the raising of horses 
was then entirely abandoned; but this remark cannot now truth- 
fully be made, for farmers say that the spring of 1898 saw more 
colts in Chester County than liad been seen for many a year. The 
farmers of Chester County prefer the fast trotting horses as a 
general thing to the heavy draft horse, the latter being preferred 
more generally by the sturdy German fanner of Lancaster County. 
The I'aising of flowers appears to be confined more to the southern 
part of the county, notably to the famous carnation belt, though 
this industry also flourishes in and around West Chester to a large 
extent. 

John A. M. Passmore, a native of Chester County, and a man of 
State as well as local reputation, was born June 30, 183(), in West 
jSJottingham, a sou of John W. and Deborali (Brown) Passmore. He 
was reared in the moral and refining influence of the Friends' So- 
ciety, as a farmer's boy, and at the youthful age of sixteen years, 
began teaching public school. His proficiency in this line of en- 
deavor was so encouraging as to induce him to take a four-years 
course in the State Normal School, at Millersville, from which 
he was graduated in ISGO. He subsequently taught school at Potts- 
ville for a number of years and became widely known as an able 
aiid successful educator. Since 1886, Mr. Passmore has resided in 
Philadelphia, having been connected with D. Appleton & Com- 
pany, and is at present the representative of the American Book 
Company. An ardent Republican in politics, he was twice nom- 
inated for Auditor-General of the State, but was defeated in elec- 
tion through no fault of his. At various other times he has been 
nominated and served in public positions of honor and trust, in all 
of which he has displayed signal fidelity and ability. He is a mem- 
ber of the State Historical Society, State Teachers' Association, 
National Teachers' Educational Association, is a Knights Templar 



AND ITf^ PEOPLE. 977 

of the Masonic Fraternity, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, a 
member of the Grand Army of the Eepublie, a member of the 
Union Leagne Club, of Philadelphia, and various other organiza- 
tions. In 18S4 he was a delegate to the National Republican Con- 
vention, at Chicago. Reared as a Friend, his religious convictions 
are in sympathy with the tenets of the Society of Friends. Mr. 
Passmore was married March 23, 1854, to Harriet, daughter of 
-James and Ann (Taylor) Woodrow, by whom he is the father of one 
daughter, Harriet H. 

An attempt was made by the writer of this work to obtain 
from the State Agricultural Department statistics regarding 
daii-jing and farming interests for some year later than 1890, but 
without avail, as the following letter will show: 

"Harrisburg, Pa., July 19, 1898. 

Dear Sir: — In reply to your favor of the ISth I would state 
that, realizing their utter unreliability, we have not for several 
years past collected and statistics in relation to crops; the latest 
that I can dii'ect you to are those of the last census. 

"Respectfully yours, 

"THOMAS J. EDGE." 

Josiah Hoopes, in October, 1858, first conceived the idea of a 
nursery and green-house business, and began with one small green- 
house and one acre of ground. This land and green-house were 
located where now stands the residence of Mr. Montgomery, ad- 
joining the present nursery. In 1857 Abner Hoopes, brother of 
Josiah, became a partner, and the firm took the name of Hoopes 
& Bro., and it thus remained until the close of the war of the Rebel- 
lion, when George B. Thomas was taken into the firm, the name 
of which was then changed to Hoopes, Bro. & Thomas, as it still 
remains. From the commencement down to the present time, the 
object of this firm has been to keep on hand a full assortment of 



978 CHESTER COUNTY 

stock, both in the fruit departmeut ami the ornameutal. Formerly 
the business took a wide range, a large mail business being carried 
on, both in this country and abroad, and it gradually drifted into 
a wholesale trade, with traveling salesmen in all parts of the 
country. At the present time this firm is carrying on an extensive 
Southern business, having an office in Nashville, Tenn., which is in 
charge of a superintendent. From one acre at the beginning the 
firm has now in cultivation GOO acres, and special attention is given 
to growing fruit trees, of all kinds and qualities; but still more 
particular attention is given to the ornamental department, such 
as trees for shade and especially for lawns, and to shrubbery, to 
which many acres are devoted. Roses are also cultivated for the 
wholesale trade, and in the packing seasons, spring and fall, about 
100 hands, men and boys, are employed. 

The Conrad & Jones Company, owning the West Grove Floral 
Xursery, was organized July 1, 1897, with Alfred F. Conrad, presi- 
dent; S. Morris Jones, secretary and treasurer, and Antoine Wint- 
zer, vice-president and general superintendent. Mr. Wintzer has 
had many years' experience in the floral business, and is thoroughly 
competent. Here are thirty-six acres of land, but little of which 
is under glass, the number of feet of glass being 25,000. The most 
improved facilities for growing roses are here enjoyed, the com- 
pany being growers of roses and the originators of a species of 
Amei'ican pedigree cannas. 

John Bartram opened the first botanical garden on the Schuyl- 
kill River within the present limits of the city of Philadelphia, 
about 1834, the next being that of Humphrey Marshall, at Mar- 
shalltou. The third was that of John Evans of Radnor, Delaware 
County, and the fourth and last was that founded by George Pierce, 
in the corner of East Marlborough, just south of Red Lion Tavern. 
This was about seventy-five years ago, or probably in 1823. Since 
the death of Mr. Pierce it has passed into the hands of his sister, 
the Avidow of Di". Sumner Stebbins, and his children. Some thirty 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 979 

01- forty years ago it began to be called Pierce's Park, as it is still 
known; but the condition of the park itself has greatly changed, 
the park being much less beautiful than it formerly was, 
which is the case with all the others. Enthusiasm and a love for 
nature are required to keep up a place of this kind, and in all 
probability public parks are the only ones that will retain their 
beauty and freshness. 

The Botanic Garden at Marshallton, the first in Chester County, 
was established by Humphrey Marshall in 1773. Humphrey Mar- 
shall was the eighth child of Abraham and Mary (Hunt) Marshall, 
both natives of England, and was born in West Bradford, Chester 
County, October 10, 1722. After his marriage to Sarah Pennock, 
daughter of Joseph Pennock, of West Marlborough, he began to 
turn his attention to the acquisition of knowledge, preferring 
astronomy and natural history to all other branches. He also then 
began the collection and culture of the moi*e curious and interesting 
indigenous plants. In 17G4 he enlarged the dwelling in which 
he lived, and added thereto a green-house, which is thought to have 
been the first ever seen or thought of in Chester County. In 1774 
he removed to a dwelling newly erected by him near the Bradford 
Meeting-house, and adjoining the ijresent village of Marshallton, 
having commenced the garden the year before. 

This botanical garden soon began to receive some of the most 
interesting trees and shrubs of the county, together with many 
curious exotics, as well as a numerous collection of native herba- 
ceous plants. In this garden Mr. Marshall planted a large num- 
ber of oaks, pines and magnolias, which remain standing and which 
are of majestic size, though the garden itself, from neglect, has 
become a wilderness. 

"For several years prior to the establishment of the Marshall- 
ton Garden Humphrey had been much engaged in collecting native 
plants and seeds and shipping them to Europe; but after that event, 
being aided by his nephew. Dr. Moses Marshall, he greatly extended 



980 CHESTER COUNTY 

his operations, and directed his attention with enhanced zeal and 
energy to the business of exploring and making known abroad the 
vegetable treasures of the United States. The present generation 
of botanists has but an imperfect idea of the services rendered to 
science by the skill and laborious industry of these faithful pio- 
neers."* 

In ITSO Humphrey Marshall began to prepare an account of 
the forest trees and shrubs of this country, which was completed 
and printed in 1785, under the title of "Arbustum Americanum 
and the American Grove, with an Alphabetical Catalogue of 
Forest Trees and Shrubs, Natives of the American United States." 
This is believed to have been the first truly indigenous botanical 
essay published in the Western Hemisphere. 

Humphrey Marshall died August G, 1823, at the age of eighty- 
two, and was buried in the cemetery at Bradford Meeting-house; 
but as no stone marks the precise spot where his remains lie, it 
is difficult to be ascertained, and in process of time, if no more 
care shall be taken of it than has been heretofoi'e, it will become 
impossible. 

The excellent products of the farm, the dairy, the orchard and 
the garden in the immediate vicinity of every borough and village 
and hamlet in Chester County render those places most desirable 
for residences to wealthy business men of Philadelphia, as well 
as delightful places of retirement for the older and more success- 
ful class of farmers and others belonging to the county itself. The 
numerous suburban sites of West Chester, Phoinixville, Berwyn, 
Malvern, Downingtown and Coatesville are most attractive and 
are fit for the mansions of any of the wealthier citizens of the 
country, and for all that like the quiet and retirement of a country 
home. Every wayside and field are ornamented with tree, shrub, 
and in the summer time flower, all supported by a luxurious and 
fertile soil. In Chester County there is no low, swampy, marshy 



*From a biographical sketch of Humphrey Marshall bj' William Darlington. 



AND ITS PEOPLE. 981 

land, but on the contrary, the surface of the county is unusually 
undulating, giving perfect drainage, and extensive, unrestricted 
and picturesque views from almost every home for miles around. 

But notwithstanding the county has all these advantages for 
suburban life within its limits, yet it would appear that so far but 
little determined effort has been made to utilize these advantages 
to the greatest possible extent. This might be done, to the benefit 
of all farmers, tradesmen and merchants. Even in the largest 
towns in the county pi'ices of real estate are remarkably low and 
the conveniences connected with country homes are numerous and 
great. Every town has excellent water, fire hydrants, and a fire 
department, and many of them have electric lights, gas and tele- 
phone exchange. No town of any size in the countj', except Oxford, 
is more than an hour's ride from Philadelphia, and hence the time 
spent in traveling to and from business, by those doing business 
in the city, is not great. 

Schools in the suburban towns are nearly, if not quite, as good 
as those in the city, and the superior healthfuless of the country 
is well known. Building is cheaper and rents are lower than in 
Philadeljjhia, and the streets are wider and houses further apart. 
Taxes are lower and water rates are lower, and the borough author- 
ities are constantly giving more and more attention to sanitary 
measures, thus increasing, as the years go by, the desirability of 
living in the country town. Market facilities are both numerous 
and excellent, much of what is consumed being produced at the 
very doors of the people, and hence the supplies are both fresh and 
good. So well supplied are many of the stores that numerous 
families derive from them their daily sui^plies. Creameries are 
scattered throughout the county, and butter is as good as can any- 
where be found. Vegetables and fruit of all kinds are produced in 
great abundance, and taken all in all, there is scarcely a better 
county in the entire United States for everything that constitutes 
desirability of a place to live. 



982 CHESTER COUNTY 

The following statistics, taken from the United States Census 
of 1890, show the condition of the agricultural industry for that 
year: 

The total number of farms Avas 6,119, of which 4,4GG were 
cultivated by their owners; 1,094 were rented for a fixed money 
value and 559 were rented on shares. 

The number of acres in farms Avas 5,863,800. The value of 
farm products for 1889 was $80,683,210; of improA'ements and 
machinery, .$1,706,380, and of live stock, |3,S94,500. 

The number of sheep in the county was 11,157; the number of 
fleeces clipped, 6,862, and the number of pounds of wool, 38,363. 

The number of neat cattle was 61,311, of which there were of 
pure bred record, 1,502; of one-half blood, 6,948, and less than 
half blood, 52,801. 

The number of gallons of millc produced on farms Avas 10,- 
945,366; pounds of butter, 1,628,235; of cheese, 6,127.*^"^ 

There were 19,264 horses, 1,104 mules, 7 asses, 35^77 swine. 

The number of dozens of eggs produced was 1,601,308; the 
l^ounds of honey, 15,567; bushels of barley, 190 from five acres; of 
buckwheat, 837 from 56 acres; of Indian corn, 1,958,962 from 
45,206 acres; oats, 868,304 from 34,070 acres; rye, 19,415 from 
1,158 acres; wheat, 882,383 from 42,639 acres; hay, 161,823 tons 
from 109,507 acres; tobacco, 679,265 pounds from 718 acres; pulse, 

30 bushels; broom corn, 2,100 pounds from two acres; potatoes — 
Irish, 452,460 bushels from 5,545 acres; sweet, 2,587 bushels, from 

31 acres. Apples, 124,919 bushels; peaches, 4,449 bushels; pears, 
2,667 bushels, and of market garden products, f 25,092 worth. 

The assessed valuation of real estate Avas $61,378,178, and 
the true valuation, $67,620,336. 






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